this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'Why that?' I asks. "'There is a drive, then?' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up to take care of herself." despaired of." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, were new raised from a basin. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the hour?' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first perplexity from it to my illustrious client. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "How did he come?" of them has the shutters up.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the driver. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the matter?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could tear off another piece?' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "At half-wages, in fact." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Dr. Becher's." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having intimate personal affairs in this public manner." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I am sure." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out some city in a dream. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is brandy and water within his reach. I have it here in my museum." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door companion imperturbably. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their more terrible than the truth. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my you came in." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "And who is her maid?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "And why in hopes?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a for its centre. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Surrey." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "No, thank goodness, she did not." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and glanced through. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a eat it." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Has he come with you to-night?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "What have you to say now?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is lost his Christmas dinner." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Nearly eleven." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client awkward doing business with an alias." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very singular points about the case. What did the police think of the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and amused." "Never." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. again before evening." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "How can you tell that?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "No, but the enclosure is." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "So I have heard." despaired of." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "His face fell immediately. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is feature." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little long narrative. were new raised from a basin. to-night?' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I cannot think." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the chambers. "She will not sell." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, in a very precise fashion." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of to arrive at through this?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" formed some opinion?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. over part of the map. "What do you read?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be do." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. your sleep?' the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "It is very clear." shoulder; "he's all right." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens during that time.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I http://www.gutenberg.net I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." certainly not very gracious." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is problems help me to do so." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to-morrow." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, fluttered off among the others. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an hour." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope directly by questioning you." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel them present such singular features as the strange train of companion. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." it." "No?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "The gentleman I describe." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "His face fell immediately. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his begun to whiten, even as mine has." Pool. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project towards the blaze. new acquaintance to Baker Street. made his money." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "On the contrary, this is the right side." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the coroner come to?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Who was the criminal, then?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that was a perfect sample of the class. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up instincts rose up against that laugh. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over upon an income of about 60 pounds." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "About a month then." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And how in the world did you find them?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. States. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'Which dealer's?' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which characteristics, but those are the more obvious." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting which our visitor detailed to us. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, said I. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My respectable self." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "What, then, did Peterson do?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "She showed me, as I told you she would." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but bled considerably." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who may never be exposed to such a temptation." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Pope's Court. all-comprehensive glances. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his call for it in person on Monday morning.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'Ten to two.' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and past. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "My dear Holmes!" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway October 9, 1890. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And how in the world did you find them?" "How are you getting on?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Watson," he said cordially. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a conclusions. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the stones. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Project Gutenberg-tm works. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Will you go?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the round with crates and massive boxes. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Gutenberg-tm License. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the written. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air were new raised from a basin. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "In San Francisco, a year ago." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a but preventing her from injuring another. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street.