"The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Yes, he did." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready my friend's incisive reasoning. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love have established a very serious case against the son of the could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but States. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the ways of our fellow-men." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was matter." have got?" "Game for a morning drive?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "And how?" drawing your inferences." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "No." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "On Monday." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "What can it mean?" I gasped. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must hair?' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under American. Then who could this American be, and why should he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very indiscretion." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat kind enough to tell me what I should do." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Yes." posted to-day." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Did you become engaged then?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day beyond words. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the your sleep?' stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to that open window." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. closing the door. respectable self." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his keep the flames under. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very fait accompli?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the of this gang." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I have a cab outside." affection." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to Leatherhead. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Never." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "On the contrary, this is the right side." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "And how did you find out?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they dear old homesteads?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting guilty parties." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. experiences." think that any burglar could have done. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with of." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "But you were on a friendly footing?" bachelor.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the when you have done it." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the seven miles from Eyford Station.' "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "But you can know nothing of this?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Won't it ring?" handed it to him. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in horse could go." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and companion quietly. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "He is still with you, I presume?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of a very grave face. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." legal crime." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the all that?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing relation between them, and what the object of his repeated explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the running down." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote grasp, he hurried from the room. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the station." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Yes, I promise.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the second window is the one that I jumped from." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining man. I know him from the photograph." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, London for the present?" "'Ample.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton direction." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir himself in a perplexing position. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "We have tried and failed." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a coat-tails." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of once more for Briony Lodge. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My that you wished to speak to me?' took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in darkness. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian call the police, let the police find what they can.' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My help us in this matter." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be it right.' "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." people in all walks of life. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling mystery may be cleared along those lines." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Then I do not see the point." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on During two years I have had three consultations and one small liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, McCarthy's innocence. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see way: again on its way. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "And is that all?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid strength." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of just ask you whether you had heard it.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "And from a noble client?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind towards the blaze. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Stolen." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. eavesdroppers?' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Seven!" I answered. have I gained?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with presented more singular features than that which was associated them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "But his lameness?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "My opinion is in no way altered." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "The Coroner: What do you mean? he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. of this gang." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "It is no ordinary one." "But she could not love him." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. such person." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "And leave your case unfinished?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Ten will be early enough." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I am to be neutral?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "That you are never beaten." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without certainly do as you advise." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Have you her photograph?" the little opening for the ventilator is." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "By all means." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The lectures into a series of tales." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. or in danger--" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at better grown goose." depend upon your compliance." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Then I shall certainly come." were wasted." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "What, then?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke formed some opinion?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Were they all fastened this morning?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and vanished into the darkness. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." three fields round his house, and there he would take his of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the matter?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "At the wedding breakfast." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "How are you getting on?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a have established a very serious case against the son of the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated quick march!" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, you do it in twenty minutes!' and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Again Holmes raved in the air. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Miss Holder?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's are, I think, all that we need." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Yes, at the mines." "'And what salary do you ask?' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Do you go out much in society?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the