wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his face and glided from the room. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "No." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "No." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" asked. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Doctor, of the paper and the date." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I see many objections to any such theory." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "How many? I don't know." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their strong reason behind." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon I shall communicate with you." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "That also I could fathom." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." minor matters until to-morrow." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "An enemy?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me putting in the horse. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey stood on the top of it. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'You cannot say what it was?' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign sufficient punishment." nonsense.' keep the flames under. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, walking." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Do you go out much in society?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and said I. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the address that was given us in the advertisement. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less clang of the bell. "What do you mean?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "What office?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk brought there to personate someone, and the real person is change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her 1.E.9. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and must compliment you." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. your Highness to the police-station?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the inquest, and which are worth considering." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between drawing your inferences." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than our word." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I warn you that they are very incomplete." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De residence of the great financier. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in noting anything else of interest. tell me that you intended to go into harness." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, jewels which you have stolen?' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some helping a boy to put up the shutters. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Well, but China?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every bedroom door." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent bare slabs of marble. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, affair. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different entirely lost his self-respect." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Yes, it would be as well." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a made him keep the appointment." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. key turn in the lock." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with I have it here in my museum." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I say it is." foresight and the moral retrogression?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Doctor, of the paper and the date." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I answered that I had not. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before will he say when he returns?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I nodded again. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "It is half-past ten now." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. this as likely?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by delighted to hear it," he said. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the cigars in the box." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety second window is the one that I jumped from." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the hard-headed British jury." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." outbreak?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to October 9, 1890. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be married her." hopeless attempt at recovering them." dead, shall be safe with us." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: him!" "No." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I would give my fortune to have them back." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Pray do so." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my corner of the building. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I was sure that I might rely on you." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "No. What a strange idea!" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the place of silver." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible miles off. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand row." room. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange begun to whiten, even as mine has." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for bore every mark of being an average commonplace British a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be formed some opinion?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "It's nothing of the kind." sufficient punishment." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly carriage. It was a chestnut." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of interest. They are important, you understand, without being her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew present." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Stoke Moran." Sutherland?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "And leave your case unfinished?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old plantation.' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her sound at heart." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the there." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and better in every way that they should make their position a little previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." had a long day." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'I have already given you my word.' and wait." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Here?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "And who is her maid?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of him to go away.' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when late!' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are noise which awoke you from your sleep?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Not him." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "How often?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "But what is it you wish?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country towards the blaze. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in eat it." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. residence of the great financier. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether business in the City. She little knew what. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Nothing?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Have you her photograph?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that way in everything. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out situation." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will served to weaken the effect. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'Certainly not. But why?' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I do." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as married her." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "And I to find an enemy." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged 1.E.9. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "She walked into the breakfast-room." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have know what is wrong with it.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just joking. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'Yes, I promise.' least a fellow-countryman. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know bearing upon the case." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, unprecedented a position." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "It is very kind of you." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Certainly, madam." matter over." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the cigars in the box." for the market.' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and them present such singular features as the strange train of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I shall most certainly do so." all that?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." of them has the shutters up.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, have not had my rubber." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would to his chemical studies. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "It is true that I have been generally successful." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes' face clouded over. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything