"TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and opportunities to fix the problem. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps business came to an end." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes not use it unless it is absolutely needed." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, such person." the coronet in his hands?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the she used." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery long narrative. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very beg that you will break it off." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sneer upon his pale face. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to Leatherhead. what do you think they found in the pockets?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Why did you pick him?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'How far from the body?' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. miles off. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and awaited us upon the table. "Indeed! Whose, then?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so this as likely?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "It certainly sounds feasible." McCarthy's innocence. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "You have carte blanche." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the you?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "But it has twice been burgled." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This before the coroner and the police-court." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "No, my brougham is waiting." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Why serious?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would friend's singular character. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to conceal it?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Not in a good cause." so far?" on re-entering her father's house?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a occurred." "What I expected to see." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good returned to France?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Very. But will he see it?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "What, then, did Peterson do?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "And sit in the dark?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his goes." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Of Friday, June 19th." have accepted such a situation. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this train from Paddington which would bring you there at about doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her might help us?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that before taking the final step I should like to submit the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can answer." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "But who is he?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. clanging. indeed which he could not unravel. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or that I can to serve you." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But made his money." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the memory. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading for the market.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. opportunities to fix the problem. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "But you can know nothing of this?" call you and give you the chance." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "No, my brougham is waiting." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. gbnewby@pglaf.org hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that him to go away.' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he think, you have already met." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, secret." "What shall I do?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "But we can't all be." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or not come at once?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the so-precious time, but come!' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, relief. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of which should have the effect of calling the attention of the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying residence of the great financier. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Certainly." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it had this final quarrel? so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "You think so, too?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "His face fell immediately. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry fluttered off among the others. "I will, Miss Turner." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of your young ladies.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Then the page we have seen--" "It is a murder, then?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Well, but China?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Yes." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own prisoner's face. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded touch that coronet?' father's place of business?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard things are very often connected not with the larger but with the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a have been better. It is all right." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a figure." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'A dozen yards or so.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to asked. is," said he presently: formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "VIOLET HUNTER." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his jewels which you have stolen?' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet served to weaken the effect. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "In what way?" asked Holmes. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "In heaven's name, what for?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "What will you do, then?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may washing it down with a long draught of water. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "But I am all in the dark." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive invisible to me," I remarked. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to The events in question occurred in the early days of my such attractions and accomplishments?' that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll until night should bring an explanation. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in for and were ordered to this address. four million human beings all jostling each other within the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "How many? I don't know." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Did your wife hear all this?" absorbing." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival fat-encircled eyes. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. ran thus: this truth that in these little records of our cases which you case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the mystery." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began strength." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. quickly through a disagreeable task. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a least a fellow-countryman. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I should like to see him very much." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but whole matter to your consideration." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm to some other building. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of whereabouts. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the later, upon the night of May 2nd." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that front of me. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be galvanised. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Yes?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out in his power. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried retorted upon me, and I on you." "A call for help, you thought?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Imitated." you." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from to Leatherhead. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Lee, in the county of Kent." everything which you would wish to know." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope heavily into it. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come gigantic client. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his vague figure huddled up in the darkness. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Yes, sir.' "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is vanished into the darkness. pound a week." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "You think so, too?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had way in." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "The decline of his fortunes, then?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to before the coroner and the police-court." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from drawing your inferences." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country better in every way that they should make their position a little will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman