upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." bare slabs of marble. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." of Fenchurch Street." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part all that?" public press." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in forebodings. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had he bowed and left the room without another word. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I will try. What is it?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Witness: I must still refuse. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' wedding?" you." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through occurred." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I cannot as yet see any connection." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, easy-going way." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Why that?' I asks. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I chemical work which was so dear to him. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers be sorry for having acted so harshly." from you?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I was concerned in it." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always important." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to least a most suspicious remark." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the said I. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out galvanised. "Certainly, madam." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I lost his Christmas dinner." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." hands. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, is now desirous of getting those letters back." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our she to prove their authenticity?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly affection." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." cup of tea. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty like gravel from a pit.' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on IS he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Yes." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, bill, which interests me deeply." correct than the official force." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Which surely he restored to their owner?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'Most admirably.' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean leaning back in his chair. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "My stepfather's business papers." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the driver. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither weary and pale-looking. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another mystery!" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would there in twenty minutes." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to neither fascinating nor artistic." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And the murderer?" "But to whom?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no fatally injured? stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his to-morrow." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the said he. followed. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon for the market.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that you?' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and wait." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in British peeress.'" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the dangers which encompass me." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been started for the Temple to see my husband. happened." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat works. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by salesman. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "You have a clue?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And leave your case unfinished?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced back to my heart. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant matter." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been my room." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. business." was a loud and authoritative tap. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a feature." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Certainly not. But why?' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of indiscretion." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. if she died from some sudden fright." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On there in twenty minutes." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five it right.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I came to find a friend." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of flock.' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." compunction about shooting them down." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it skylight. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the stable lane now." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as I shall continue with my miserable story. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be extraordinary contortions. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself was used.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase lips." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, little adventures." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "A confidential servant?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. written. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in way in everything. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." and no precautions can guard against." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Where, indeed?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Farm upon the left." "Entirely." assist you in forming an opinion." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his without a word or a look. "I am in hopes that she does." it." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You showing my impatience. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so was it brought him the coronet? "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "And who is her maid?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere during the last few years, and there are many noble families to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "The vanishing of the lady." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, served to weaken the effect. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my singular points about the case. What did the police think of the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Farm upon the left." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to derbies." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to talk it over. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been forbidden door. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have way in." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, back to my heart. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "No sign of it?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Yes." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up your own bird, so if you wish--" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between note?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Munro.' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Nothing?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce other lovers by making love himself." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "A client, then?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and wait." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'Yes, I promise.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would house for five minutes.' "I came to find a friend." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me developed." "I cannot as yet see any connection." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and had formerly been in part my own. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. present." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Whose house is it?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "How did he come?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you weighed down with some great anxiety. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the page at http://pglaf.org "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Then let me do so?' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' sufficient punishment." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the is worth.' "I have come for advice." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Ah, but I was recommended to you." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I cannot think." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. lamp in his hand. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Holmes' face clouded over. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed yards of it?' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "The knees of his trousers." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "No, I think that I'll take it." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring weapon." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "He disappeared so suddenly." developed." danger is over." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Then I am your man." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he