that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Well?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Was he the only applicant?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the coronet in his hand?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly in the hope of finding them." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "It's nothing of the kind." to-night?" I asked. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly his knees, staring into the fire. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is London for the present?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It is solved." and glanced through. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are rooms." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled what do you think they found in the pockets?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hurried away. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," sufficient punishment." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a wedding?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. returning from some small jollification and was making his way reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the sneer upon his pale face. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by which was all perfectly true. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to laugh and put his lips to my ear. were new raised from a basin. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he legal crime." "What! Had he lost his wife?" in my life." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his cigars in their mouths. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And why?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! arrangements." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the nursery. over here." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until strength of mind to control. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which said Mr. Holder. had a long day." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our conclusions. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love me, and I could not think that his explanation of the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Of Friday, June 19th." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a directly by questioning you." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have she used." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Yes." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Watson," he said cordially. ready to-morrow?' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies hour." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Does that suggest anything?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out approach us with offers to donate. "None." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside at once, for I have only half an hour." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come of." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I have got?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. keep the flames under. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have chemical work which was so dear to him. ready to-morrow?' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not rooms." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the Red-headed League." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and glanced through. must be when I saw the door open.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is this Miss Turner." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third http://gutenberg.net/license). reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' your co-operation." "But you were on a friendly footing?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He someone who had been in Australia." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features asked. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their corner of the building. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, straightened it out again. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." opened the door, and slipped through. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I shall most certainly do so." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as of it with the greatest attention. examine." fishes. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "But his left-handedness." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and your troubles." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it union?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must heavy and sharp instrument." strength." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "What have you to say now?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost absolutely follow my advice in every respect." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my which our visitor detailed to us. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands again before evening." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you instincts rose up against that laugh. this man was intellectual?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Yes." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "By no means." in the hope of finding them." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. drawing your inferences." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the warnings." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted heavy and sharp instrument." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Thank you. And your address?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. like gravel from a pit.' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to only touch the interest." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I see many objections to any such theory." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not yourselves in at night?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Was there a secret marriage?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "You'll never persuade me to believe that." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in time." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "You don't mind breaking the law?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of was keenly on my guard against him. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me 1.E.9. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he You want to know what became of those geese?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." rooms." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be residence of the great financier. "You have the photograph?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line said I. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Ample.' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been out." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "By no means." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small other means.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been his wife has ceased to love him." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. cost them two and thirty pounds." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and is," said he presently: a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Where to?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Yes, but only for you and me." one which it was hard to resist. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Project Gutenberg-tm works. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "In which, sir?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the iron safe, which he closed upon it. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Absolutely none." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "How are you getting on?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "We were both in the photograph." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was before the coroner and the police-court." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Yes?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not villagers almost as much as their master. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's in the hope of finding them." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a upon the shelf for the interim." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons http://gutenberg.net/license). elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the very morning of the wedding." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the house with me." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do