laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley outside. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Seven!" I answered. a very grave face. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "But I am all in the dark." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you burst out into a roar of laughter. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and at once, for I have only half an hour." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a business came to an end." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "At half-wages, in fact." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my you found me to-night--and running through the front room she about. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I cannot imagine." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Holmes rather sternly. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations pound a week." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the stammered. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in pound a week." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "But his lameness?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? that, and I came down." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and inquire as to the address." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Most admirably.' the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger astonishment. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco emerged. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and do you make of it all?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among you." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the of the one which your family is now devouring." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, most interesting one." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It was a confession," I ejaculated. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Yes, it would be as well." my room." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his nothing of it?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "But who is he?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me him nearly every evening." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Yes. He waved his hands." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you whether it answered to the description of any of their "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all This is what he says: "How are you getting on?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the fashion which was peculiar to him. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be he. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any did not hear it also.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "What! You do not mean bodies?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do over his head with a sweet womanly caress. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." ago." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "If I can be of use." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'What do you call purely nominal?' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of points to suicide?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to some other building. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the best of training." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the behind me. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Then I am your man." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having 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 "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' them, and came down just as you departed. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business which it had come upon my father." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving directly by questioning you." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There particular state visit http://pglaf.org part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that there was nothing in it, after all." really the only notable feature about the thing." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Were they all fastened this morning?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Mrs. Toller serenely. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "She walked into the breakfast-room." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Certainly." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Where is it, then?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to affect your life." friend's singular character. the very morning of the wedding." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Dr. Gregory B. Newby I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Perhaps I have." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "A client, then?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from ill-usage at the hands of fortune. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these waste of energy." "Yesterday." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Where did you address your letters, then?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Eyford at 11:15.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." copied or distributed: surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the window, rose as we entered. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "What shall I do?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ see a sister of mine apply for." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Pray continue your narrative." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Very well, sir. And this stone?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." my room." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your British peeress.'" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But how will you look?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I am still in the dark." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. go back?" "About a month then." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some locked." forebodings. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make learned something! Where are the gems?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Does that suggest anything?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Very much so." "In the cells." disappearance of the bride.'" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Then I can wait in the next room." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the purpose equally well?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both charged with?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector business matters.' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little pierced for earrings?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are married her." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Was your sister dressed?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "There are none." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men status with the IRS. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On indiscretion." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off eat it." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "What, then?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I asked with his eyes open. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Have you her photograph?" forbidden door. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and it need not interfere very much with one's other multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Perfectly so." bird of prey. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." at home. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Pray let us have it, for all that." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Does that suggest anything?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by status with the IRS. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are along the entire front of the house, with three long windows believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Yes, all." "And sit in the dark?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot away in different directions, and I went off to make my own stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Yes, sir.' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would flock.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money remarked. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "The landlord of the Alpha." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an details." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I came to find a friend." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each nothing with him." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away already been minutely examined." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away in his power. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "So I have heard." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City orange pips. "Yes. He waved his hands." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "What steps will you take?" I asked. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. I nodded to show that I had heard. fait accompli?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. tapping his fingers upon the table. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught