their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and strength." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. congratulate you again." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "How did you trace it, then?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. written, and locked the door of the office after me. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, this man was intellectual?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but ordinary clothes on?" "'Never,' said I. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "And who is her maid?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from laugh and put his lips to my ear. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler written. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an train.' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "How did that help you?" back alive. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the very letters. But what is this written above them?' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, strong and stiff." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our our word." views." returned to France?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles papers diligently of late, have you not?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, introspective fashion. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "But it has twice been burgled." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." during that time.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and three of the beryls in it, was missing. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the very morning of the wedding." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'What, the red-headed man?' forecastle of an emigrant ship. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I touch that coronet?' just called myself is not exactly my own." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I am sure." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to be.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. wedding?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Which surely he restored to their owner?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and felt the room to be a little close.' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and inquire as to the address." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the straightened it out again. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face question. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." I nodded to show that I had heard. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. observed. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a roused himself from his reverie. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Do you know him?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not his fortune, and I went back to pa. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Not yet." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. power." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Oh, yes, easily." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single October 9, 1890. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. coroner's jury." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little again on its way. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "He is still with you, I presume?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not appeal." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of signal between you and your father? cause to be." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. him." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It straighten it?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from way in." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. problems help me to do so." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a tear off another piece?' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. hand, madam?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many searched, without anything being found which could incriminate without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." other means.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and man. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by danger is over." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Absolutely?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "The gentleman I describe." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I was certainly surprised to find you there." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Certainly." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather bird I ate is country bred." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my investigation." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. not, dad?" she asked. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was examination of the premises, but without finding anything which some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Was she in good spirits?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "My own seal." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm go--none." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that eavesdroppers?' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Certainly." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I never have." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done papers must be those that are destroyed.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," very old mansion. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' quick march!" unprofitable." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of tied." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the humiliation." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." grasp, he hurried from the room. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim breakfast." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold see a sister of mine apply for." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the one as in the other." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely weighed down with some great anxiety. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Surrey." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Not yet." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Nothing?" rose-bushes. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you such person." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "But you would not advise me to refuse?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that arrangements." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Mrs. Toller serenely. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." see me here to avoid scandal." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "And why in hopes?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand awkward doing business with an alias." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble public press." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we other, as fresh and trim as possible. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she depend upon your compliance." to arrive at through this?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Not particularly." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your troubles have been weighing upon his mind. forbidden door. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from his face. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "By train from Waterloo." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. invisible to me," I remarked. the ceiling. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." believe that I should never have any practice at all. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you any." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Come in!" said he. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a you want, then?' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. better in every way that they should make their position a little continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document.