"It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send right! Sit down and let us talk it over." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Just look it up, then." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Which dealer's?' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Then what has happened to him?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the matter." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Yes?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about instituted." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Where could I find him?' coat-tails." I shall communicate with you." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is upon an income of about 60 pounds." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Yes." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the to a light-house. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for companion imperturbably. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." beg that you will break it off." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He joking. lumber-room." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man my friend's incisive reasoning. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." speckled band?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "It must be recovered." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by man. "'There is a drive, then?' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and started for the Temple to see my husband. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past one's self under obligations.' "Nothing?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated lectures into a series of tales." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "By train from Waterloo." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, case before our client came into the room." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It is possible." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in how narrow had been my escape. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "At the wedding breakfast." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Thank you. Pray proceed." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get through." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to it with his own hands." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no is so. I know all about McCarthy." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I will try. What is it?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'And what salary do you ask?' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the this as likely?" Serpentine Avenue. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'And the work?' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" nothing of it?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of speckled band?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "My last client of the sort was a king." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "What! You do not mean bodies?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The straightened it out again. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' will be renamed. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "And the cigar-holder?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to overpowering excitement and concern. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted was feeling which was the fattest.' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And your father? Did you tell him?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock matter." back into the street. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots posted to-day." gone. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault at once, for I have only half an hour." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew were unconscious?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Have you her photograph?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to wedding?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his face. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance all that?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" quite distinctive." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear It was close upon four before the door opened, and a criminal. We have already had experience of such." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly row." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. woman." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Again Holmes raved in the air. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "No?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. do.' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to shaken than I had ever seen him. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his knees, staring into the fire. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "No, but the enclosure is." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. was already answered. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My is a common subject for conversation. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "That was it, sir." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning over part of the map. "What do you read?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Then the page we have seen--" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler was not a bird to be seen there. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I assure you that I am in your hands." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Surrey." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Where could I find him?' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man least a fellow-countryman. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Why did you beat the pavement?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I shall most certainly do so." point in the dark hollow of his hand. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and is worth.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Chief Executive and Director my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "If I can be of use." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm him to be an active member of the medical profession." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Eyford at 11:15.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her arrested. You then--" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has union?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" union?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the child." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Oh, no.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. have an American origin." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "And the cigar-holder?" green of the new foliage. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "None." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the unprecedented a position." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even is four-and-twenty." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "The knees of his trousers." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, several quiet little villages up there." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Which surely he restored to their owner?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed were new raised from a basin. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but locked. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and humiliation." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed down from London to inquire more deeply into it." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes." with some details as to your case." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at vault. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was cup of tea. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and looking up at the numbers of the houses." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" once more for Briony Lodge. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "No?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after because she had spent so short a time in this country that she to Leatherhead. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these giving me time to thank him. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his business?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: hardly wander." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. awkward doing business with an alias." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "It was an hour's good drive." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a nothing with him." "Very. But will he see it?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "The vanishing of the lady." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the chance at all." fattened it expressly for you.' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her http://gutenberg.net/license). "The gentleman I describe." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a not personally threatened." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, take the flies, but not before." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made electronic works "My photograph." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "She told me to ask you." "He said too much." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this lids now and glanced across at his visitor. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora written, and locked the door of the office after me. been able to understand it, in a very few words. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my his knees, staring into the fire. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Where to?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met hand, madam?" distinguish the words: present." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this