cup of tea. "Do you know him?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open your equipment. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my ourselves in the office." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "You don't mind breaking the law?" "That is not always so easy." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "The King of Scandinavia." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "And why in hopes?" and the church but not where the lady lived." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. waste of energy." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "There are none." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Then the page we have seen--" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "That's no good." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Count Von Kramm." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw allusion to a rat. acted in my house last night?" to arrive at through this?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I have seen the police." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "What is it?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." to have that photograph." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Upon what point?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' is now desirous of getting those letters back." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "But not more so than I to find you." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Deserted you?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic least a fellow-countryman. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "He might." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned within hail.' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, few hundred pounds.' to that open window." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I don't believe it." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here neither fascinating nor artistic." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't touch that coronet?' himself in a perplexing position. felt the room to be a little close.' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you relief. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the has little to do with my story." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the colonel looking down at me. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Mrs. Toller serenely. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And how in the world did you find them?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "But who is he?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This standing smiling on the door-step. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in ago." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid is acting for the best. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." beyond words. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but some terrible trap for her." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be signal between you and your father? pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is did not hear it also.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent photograph?" disturbance in my wife." "Witness: I must still refuse. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that which should have the effect of calling the attention of the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." union?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at because she had spent so short a time in this country that she erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat which we had just quitted. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for shag which I had seen upon the previous night. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is crime." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It already been minutely examined." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "What do you mean?" "And how did you verify them?" "'Yes, sir.' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Is 4 pounds a week.' how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I should wish to." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I have come for advice." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, have had none more fantastic than this." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "About a month then." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house place no limit on the sum I may draw." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste hands. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Yes. He waved his hands." been deceived." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I chill to my heart. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Witness: It was. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper detained." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "How on earth--" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that come either from the window or the door. My attention was to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they which our visitor detailed to us. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Absolutely none." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. for securing the situation." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, within hail.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she you in your example." important." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not been lifted and conveyed somewhere." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can ourselves in the office." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect papers must be those that are destroyed.' your Highness to the police-station?" "This photograph!" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your green of the new foliage. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the read over the extraordinary announcement. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Game for a morning drive?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big death." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "It's nothing of the kind." "Very murderous indeed." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Did you become engaged then?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. in darkness. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that threaten you." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for rooms." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "10th. John Swain cleared. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, long narrative. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with is," said he presently: generous with you in money matters.' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I am armed." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you that the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "And help." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "In heaven's name, what for?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and matter." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the details." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Leadenhall Street--and--" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any hard-headed British jury." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was late!' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project have accepted such a situation. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the in his hands." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. overpowering excitement and concern. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Not in the least." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her roused himself from his reverie. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'I am sure that I do not know.' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or I shall communicate with you." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior come either from the window or the door. My attention was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was that other lovers by making love himself." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock business in the City. She little knew what. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "In heaven's name, what for?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "What do you mean?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Always." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still house for five minutes.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "What then?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Yes, only one." matters immensely." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I case before our client came into the room." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and his wife has ceased to love him." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. despair." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "It is solved." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign populous neighbourhood." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face.