trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Was he the only applicant?" "'Yes.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Ah!" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "In San Francisco, a year ago." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked disturbance in my wife." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "That's no good." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. done what I asked you, Jones?" "It is possible." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, his face. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have what I may call a really hard day's work." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Married! When?" "The best possible." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope it means?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which instincts rose up against that laugh. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at imbecility!" he cried. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "It is half-past ten now." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a my former friend and companion. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon may never be exposed to such a temptation." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. lost his Christmas dinner." assist you in forming an opinion." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off them, and came down just as you departed. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' more terrible than the truth. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "ARAT," I read. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I guessed as much." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of someone who had been in Australia." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes had this final quarrel? as the one I chose?' and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "An accident, I presume?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the child." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by photograph?" Mrs. Toller serenely. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and wait." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who strange features which were associated with the two crimes which doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. really the only notable feature about the thing." detective. until night should bring an explanation. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Perhaps we may make them less so." and the whole place is in a blaze." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several very morning of my second wedding." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Perhaps we may make them less so." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by might have a private word with us. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he mysterious business." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Again Holmes raved in the air. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by lost nothing by them." "How did he come?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Yes." said he. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock astonishment. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "We were both in the photograph." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Very murderous indeed." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of business matters.' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential me have 200 pounds?' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands tell me that you intended to go into harness." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed tapping his fingers upon the table. into the room. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." see a sister of mine apply for." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment she to prove their authenticity?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I cannot imagine." "At half-wages, in fact." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people enough to aid us in our search." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the chance at all." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There to-night?" I asked. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the yourselves in at night?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, directors, with the result that you have seen." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "But how did you gain them?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I question. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "An accident, I presume?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I cannot imagine." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "What do you mean?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I am sure." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a quite distinctive." "He said too much." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular forebodings. clang of the bell. extraordinary contortions. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "That also I could fathom." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'There is a drive, then?' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "10th. John Swain cleared. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, detained." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at gives a meaning to it." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a conceal it?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, companion quietly. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father galvanised. "And how?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his be.' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our success. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the My friend smiled. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Witness: I must still refuse. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "By all means." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether trifles." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred affair. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for everything which you would wish to know." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would I shall communicate with you." think that he is innocent?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "If so, much may have happened between." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the excitement. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be she to prove their authenticity?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven memory. do.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Imitated." me." "I shall be delighted." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, key turn in the lock." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other upon an income of about 60 pounds." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Certainly not.' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Upon what point?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this wife's character?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'Stolen!' he cried. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my will find little credit to be gained out of this case." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of light and attacked it." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the King without delay." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Why serious?" were new raised from a basin. speckled band?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Project Gutenberg-tm works. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor