because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from did not hear it also.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I my special province." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Nothing." instincts rose up against that laugh. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I will try. What is it?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'Where could I find him?' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other nights." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" a good hundred miles off by now." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she note?" Clair, of Lee." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid voice. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are developed." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. some water from a caraffe. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this married her." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came them?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the stones. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." unprofitable." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said might help us?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is some place of shelter and let the county police know what has are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my enough to aid us in our search." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Not social, then?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. gives a meaning to it." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being might have a private word with us. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. certainly not very gracious." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. see me here to avoid scandal." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the this remarkable episode. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his fuss that is made over them." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast never to learn it at all." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the in. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "It is solved." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now yards of it?' father's place of business?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Then the page we have seen--" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm prisoner's face. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "No, thank goodness, she did not." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" relief. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be when your master had gone out." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to begun to whiten, even as mine has." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, money should be paid at once.' works. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at official police." "'Where could I find him?' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'Certainly not.' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no asked with his eyes open. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the ways of our fellow-men." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as charged with?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and attention." investigation." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by recover the gem." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "The knees of his trousers." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Witness: Nothing definite. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the Friday. Was it to be in church?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up your Highness to the police-station?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he locked." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "And it is--" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the a room. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Will you bet, then?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me least a fellow-countryman. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Oh, fresh and glossy." seem to you to be relevant or not." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has delighted to hear it," he said. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands himself in a perplexing position. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "To an end?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "But how did you gain them?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional do.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Nothing." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "My private note-paper." "Yes." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "None." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "And now?" I asked. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent promised to bring home. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his asked. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "To an end?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "On Monday." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Not I." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and it." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I little trying to do so much typewriting?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do his huge brown hands. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the experiences." in this way: carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. think that any burglar could have done. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I do." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to key turn in the lock." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Sholtos." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have quickly through a disagreeable task. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight upon an income of about 60 pounds." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon sound at heart." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the stones. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'There is a drive, then?' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope own family. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the warnings." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." hurried away. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Have you good authority for what you say?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Yes." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of whether it answered to the description of any of their "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "How did you deduce the select?" "Entirely." "Really! You surprise me." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "You forget that I know nothing about it." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." house for five minutes.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the child." gigantic client. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and like gravel from a pit.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." until night should bring an explanation. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my suspect him." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez straighten it?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that rose-bushes. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Stolen, then." "It is solved." "I answered that I had not. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You horrify me!" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the up this clue while it is still hot." "Why did you pick him?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the Red-headed League." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "You were travelling in the States?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the keep the flames under. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, meant." became a certainty. strong reason behind." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the