on re-entering her father's house?" respectable self." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, has little to do with my story." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our works. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Not particularly." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. heavy and sharp instrument." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the so-precious time, but come!' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'I am sure if I had known--' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside swore that no one else had been in the front room during the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He You can understand that this register and diary may implicate quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and morning." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and kindly on the shoulder. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking distance from the station, and there we found the young lady I was concerned in it." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me any." had picked up in the wood. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, kind enough to tell me what I should do." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Proceed, then." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us key of the affair now." "Precisely so. But how--" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I promise," said Holmes. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Nothing?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Holmes' room. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He an introduction to him?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the stable lane now." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I should be immensely obliged to you." "The landlord of the Alpha." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love to Leatherhead. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and files of the old papers, following the future career of every increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Edgeware Road. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "On your arm?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was writer." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** then?" when you have done it." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be could gather together that I was able to avert another public opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was down. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Who by?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's suggested at once that there must be a communication between the to have been novel and of interest." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "What of the rat, then?" to talk it over. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police indiscretion." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the salesman. in a very precise fashion." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Does that suggest anything?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At should be taken.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as it right.' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that could not have written that. It is the German who is so Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers daring than any effort of the imagination." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "By train from Waterloo." "Really! You surprise me." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. fatally injured? Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "He said that you could solve anything." the running down." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I was sure that I might rely on you." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of a light. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his it." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. fashion which was peculiar to him. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a closely." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Your French gold?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am appeared upon the scene." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, one else, I think." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and that he would see to anything that turned up. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing any more." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, lips." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Look there!" said he. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, charged with?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 union?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Were they all fastened this morning?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "ARAT," I read. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Nothing?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It surprised me." man. I know him from the photograph." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her to-night?' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Of what day?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Yesterday." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Countess of Morcar's?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the should be taken.' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the noting anything else of interest. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "At half-wages, in fact." yourselves in at night?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I would pay ten." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to John Swain, of St. Augustine. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Did you observe the colour?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for enter into my head. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a several quiet little villages up there." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we gone. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my whereabouts. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." he died? "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "A client, then?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the devil!" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural that threaten you." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as rooms." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I am in hopes that she does." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, to tell." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich done what I asked you, Jones?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for of Fenchurch Street." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead compunction about shooting them down." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with hurried by. "In which, sir?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a your bag." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of woman." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by his wife has ceased to love him." fear." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being I shall continue with my miserable story. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "The King of Scandinavia." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the there in twenty minutes." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "It was." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "But how?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. had formerly been in part my own. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say his forehead." "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just my secret was safe in his possession. "I am in hopes that she does." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Your sister is dead, then?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, this remarkable episode. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to a more successful conclusion." not as remarkable as your advertisement." Holmes' thin, eager face. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and joking. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "So I am. Very much so." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of drove away. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "It surprised me." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "No more words. Get out!" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "But how will you look?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Nothing." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he if I call to-morrow?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the strength of mind to control. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being drove away. "But what will you do?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call these bleak autumnal evenings." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have green of the new foliage. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, reach." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "VIOLET HUNTER." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. in his hands." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done them, and came down just as you departed. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming matter." hardly wander." digesting their breakfasts at home." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I golden eyeglasses. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and capable of preserving a secret.' "Frequently." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of introspective fashion. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "At what time?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy certainly do as you advise." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her made his money." sparkled upon his finger. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, becomes even more simple." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to tell them apart.' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely speckled band?" page at http://pglaf.org confronted him. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is this poor creature." "What shall I do?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?"