not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor appointment with me for six o'clock?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Holmes' thin, eager face. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. house for five minutes.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a such person." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "They are typewritten," I remarked. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." knowledge of the world." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I answered that I had not. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "No?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, promised to bring home. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yes, that is the Crown." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need DAMAGE. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Game for a morning drive?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "But how did you gain them?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and wait." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus call it cruel." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, chance at all." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Of what?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I hurried by. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his opportunities to fix the problem. "The vanishing of the lady." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Yes, it was twisted." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past me where it went to?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock and the whole place is in a blaze." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "No, but the enclosure is." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. past. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking morning." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs away in different directions, and I went off to make my own doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is salesman. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of front of me. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet is worth.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. breakfast." south, for the country is more deserted there." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying outside." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I nodded to show that I had heard. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very was already answered. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Surrey." at my remark. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "How on earth--" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this heavy and sharp instrument." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the Red-headed League." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Have you good authority for what you say?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six ceremony." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set back into the street. already been minutely examined." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. you understand?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Why? What do you mean?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the morning and make my own way in the world.' look dissatisfied." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head salesman. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. roused himself from his reverie. like that before?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Stoke Moran?" said he. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should outbreak?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" society." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied asked. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told house for five minutes.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I saw her in conversation with her maid." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking unprecedented a position." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Here?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end John Swain, of St. Augustine. good-night and bustled off upon her way. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began ways of our fellow-men." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no possible that we could bring him back to her? "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed is four-and-twenty." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And what did you learn from him?" fishes. to arrive at through this?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still taking in every detail of the apartment. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It strong and stiff." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." when you have done it." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my round and wave him away like that.' that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands girl said." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Where could I find him?' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord dead, shall be safe with us." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'I have already given you my word.' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "What will you do, then?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is outbreak?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely soul! here is her carriage at the door." fishes. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Holmes. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. wedding?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT conceal it?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you him." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said will find little credit to be gained out of this case." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum conversation I have gathered that they have been married about drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all fled together." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know whereabouts. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do at a side door. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the works. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at late." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'And the work?' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "No." "Yes." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to in the hope of finding them." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "One of the highest in England." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "And how?" "I am about to be married." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Do you go out much in society?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I promise," said Holmes. "We were both in the photograph." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take kind enough to tell me what I should do." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'You cannot say what it was?' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. asked. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Of what?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and