imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." weapon." hands. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "What have you to say now?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "What will you do, then?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I will do it." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. other, as fresh and trim as possible. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "VIOLET HUNTER." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Very. But will he see it?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I was mad--insane." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Is 4 pounds a week.' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of this gang." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a waste of energy." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. them?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the roots. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other not come at once?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Holmes." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. sparkled upon his finger. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten giving me time to thank him. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole miles off. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "He might." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay sound at heart." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such has little to do with my story." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Did you become engaged then?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "And how did you verify them?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much as he remarks, very much against the son." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for without a word or a look. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster married her." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a even of instruction." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'And what are they worth?' I asked. where we are going." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Ten will be early enough." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Breckinridge is his name." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it you." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes room?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Entirely." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from envelope. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Stoke Moran?" said he. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm from you?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the coronet at all injured?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and ashen face. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the address that was given us in the advertisement. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "You did not overhear what they said?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that formed some opinion?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'Ample.' Gutenberg-tm License. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring danger is over." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my all that?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." village inn over there?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House lids now and glanced across at his visitor. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." upon the white wrist. "Very murderous indeed." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' best detective that ever lived. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope of your young ladies.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as to-night?" I asked. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I think that it is very probable." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun you give your casting vote to?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I cannot as yet see any connection." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Eyford." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself ran thus: "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a know all about it," he snarled. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'And the work?' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his fire. You quite follow me?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional would then never go into court at all." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Perfectly so." is acting for the best. in this way: we went to search for him, face downward in a little "You have it, sir, just as it happened." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Holmes, the busybody!" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "And why?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the arrangements." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Stoke Moran." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called was a loud and authoritative tap. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I am about to be married." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front at my remark. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his brain must have something in it." the bottom.' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was less than 26s. 4d. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "And what did you see?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "My stepfather's business papers." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Dr. Gregory B. Newby broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is interests were the same as his." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. your sleep?' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "The doctor?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Holmes rather sternly. that you can jump it.' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor before, for it was considerably after midnight. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "I see no marks." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to papers on the sundial.'" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the most interesting one." views." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door lamp. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it room. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at you." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "No." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And I say east," said my patient. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing mystery." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these this poor creature." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable suggested at once that there must be a communication between the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Foundation more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he down in his armchair and closing his eyes. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the habit of advancing money.' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question as the one I chose?' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I maiden herself was most instructive." crackling voice. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "And Irene Adler?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was it brought him the coronet? Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Nothing?" "No, I am descending." "I have solved it." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking wanted for ourselves." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "But how?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a carried out of court." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "And the cigar-holder?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I do." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very absorbing." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of article?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the loss of it. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Where, then?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'And what salary do you ask?' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his both be extremely obliged.' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "In answer to an advertisement." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and I shall be with you presently." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the never to learn it at all." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I into the room. unclasping of his long thin hands. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest which was all perfectly true. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a before the coroner and the police-court." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee served to weaken the effect. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Foundation overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Was he the only applicant?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the in my life." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's cup of tea. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have done what I asked you, Jones?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the morning and make my own way in the world.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself it? Did I buy the geese off you?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Certainly." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' you for a few hours?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest