surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." neither fascinating nor artistic." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a strong and stiff." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can round with crates and massive boxes. "No, finished." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "What have you to say now?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' stalked out of the room. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his papers diligently of late, have you not?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have breakfast?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Pray let us have it, for all that." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You horrify me." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day stalked out of the room. very old mansion. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay salesman. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Witness: It was. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of front of me. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'I have already given you my word.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for outsides of the windows. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less mysterious end." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Yes." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what she might be summoned. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "You have carte blanche." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Your French gold?" "That was it, sir." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, writer." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Who by?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court open." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since both be extremely obliged.' shoulder. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It subject to the trademark license, especially commercial have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." them?" skylight. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "But who is he?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Again Holmes raved in the air. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly upon the sideboard." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open all?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able as he remarks, very much against the son." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'What then?' I asked. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the 11:15.' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. hardly wander." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Where, indeed?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I detective. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Not him." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon once more on the important position which you have been fortunate as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the placed his cuttings. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Then he might have called to you?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts head. So long, then!" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "One?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an which was all perfectly true. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the to have been novel and of interest." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and unclasping of his long thin hands. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which as the one I chose?' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him I have it here in my museum." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might astonishment. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he been with you?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There second." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself them present such singular features as the strange train of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. but preventing her from injuring another. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes, but only for you and me." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "In the cells." voice. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt bonnet, and went out." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than secret." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I cannot think." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the waste of energy." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Then you may be so with me." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing it means?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general introspective fashion. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Not in a good cause." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." forehead. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have character. and put his glass in his pocket. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which something of him before." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his way in everything. The events in question occurred in the early days of my office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention his fortune, and I went back to pa. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness points in connection with it which never have been, and probably vault. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting started for the Temple to see my husband. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room purpose of examination. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open companion imperturbably. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there system of imprisonment?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "That also I could fathom." "Just look it up, then." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously a few minutes he said that it would be all right. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates or other trace. But how on earth--" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "That is it on the dressing-table." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man definite end. "Not yet." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Heh?' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I am following you closely," I answered. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Who was the criminal, then?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may just called myself is not exactly my own." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Mary, has deserted me." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "None." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Was your sister dressed?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is that he has suffered." hardly wander." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On What do you deduce from it?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well goes." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the depend upon your compliance." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I have solved it." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no to arrive at through this?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "And sit in the dark?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. side. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'Quite sure, dad.' once more for Briony Lodge. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. page at http://pglaf.org freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your for securing the situation." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. unclasping of his long thin hands. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four memory. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Stoke Moran?" said he. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H The telegram which we eventually received came late one night with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to he bowed and left the room without another word. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Who was the criminal, then?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' will he say when he returns?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Well, it is a possible supposition." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a recover the gem." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'Which dealer's?' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes.