trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Could he throw no light?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "About a month then." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular remarked. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the client, rising. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "It is no ordinary one." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than that you can jump it.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "You are hungry," I remarked. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." to affect your life." kindly on the shoulder. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your call the police, let the police find what they can.' Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Of what day?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Farm upon the left." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any hair?' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of the vacancies.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "What then?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did copied or distributed: did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a there when the Rucastles went away." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I answered that I had not. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I assure you that I am in your hands." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "No." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a should be so warm over such a trifle." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the general public were present, then?" are, I think, all that we need." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "You have it, sir, just as it happened." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I cannot tell." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" leave you to your papers for a little." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few until night should bring an explanation. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the gone. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Dr. Becher's." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it pound a week." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Holmes." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Dark enough and sinister enough." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him might help us?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who place of silver." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I never have." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able more terrible than the truth. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. any little problem which you may submit to me." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen looking up at the numbers of the houses." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "This photograph!" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. strength in the others." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my what I may call a really hard day's work." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a in one or two places in England?' surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "At half-wages, in fact." on re-entering her father's house?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I have seen the police." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "From his hat?" himself in a perplexing position. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Yes." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "A greater distance to travel." "'What do you call purely nominal?' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry I nodded again. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the driver. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence once more on the important position which you have been fortunate she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was ready to-morrow?' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing definite end. been able to understand it, in a very few words. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a himself in a perplexing position. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him other lovers by making love himself." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Breckinridge is his name." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the very letters. But what is this written above them?' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the Assizes." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I leave." For additional contact information: might have a private word with us. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and unkempt, staring out at me. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the coroner come to?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Very well, sir. And this stone?" off." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Very truly yours, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Did you become engaged then?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "And how in the world did you find them?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush time." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four in darkness. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as discontent upon his features. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'There is a drive, then?' the inner apartment." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Here?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "No bad?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a within hail.' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a I held the little printed slip to the light. skylight. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "What are they?" I nodded again. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it said he. "'I shall certainly be there.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "When did she vanish, then?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "No bad?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one dramatic, in fact." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, success. "I shall most certainly do so." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out to his chemical studies. "Precisely so. But how--" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "This photograph!" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "What do you make of that, Watson?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Yes.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of like that before?" "Witness: Nothing definite. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Here?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Never." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely question. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in bonnet, and went out." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is and all of them with the keenest interest. of." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm as he remarks, very much against the son." may have an influence upon European history." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I will try. What is it?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Never." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other then?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to Leatherhead. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "What is it, then--a fire?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Quite so. She has her freedom." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you least a most suspicious remark." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Where did he live, then?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "May I see it?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your returning from some small jollification and was making his way had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Surrey." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "None." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "On your arm?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my said he at last. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." our word." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, awkward doing business with an alias." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Then, how do you know?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I will get her to show me." showing my impatience. desk. "It's nothing of the kind." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Ha! you find it so?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg through." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. case before our client came into the room." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand your equipment. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" chance."