Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "How do you know, then?" which it had come upon my father." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Did he not advertise?" straightened it out again. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about American. Then who could this American be, and why should he fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "At what time?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "What do you mean?" "I cannot tell." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat populous neighbourhood." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in this way: to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester galvanised. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of companion imperturbably. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, make me his representative both with the servants and with the it." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "And your father? Did you tell him?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "That also I could fathom." "How did you trace it, then?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He most important business. It is probable that he will be away all works. See paragraph 1.E below. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to papers on the sundial.'" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, do you make of it all?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I am to be neutral?" "No, I think that I'll take it." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk populous neighbourhood." "Imitated." IS but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on pound a week." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "You horrify me!" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free so.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid look upon these things in a different way." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." sake, don't!" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And on what day did he meet his death?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now one's self under obligations.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would there is a decided draught." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. criminal. We have already had experience of such." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the in his power. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." father's young wife. of them has the shutters up.' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the she to prove their authenticity?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his face. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his his cane at the bell-pull. the salesman. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "What then?" coat-tails." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I would pay ten." keep the flames under. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Where, indeed?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Game for a morning drive?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "What then?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the matter?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be fishes. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night during which he might have communicated with his friend the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is is entirely a question of barometric pressure." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and that he would see to anything that turned up. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong hurried by. "To an English lawyer named Norton." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the devil!" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the roots. think that he is innocent?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs my former friend and companion. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "The best possible." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Just look it up, then." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," she might be summoned. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. with you alone." in this way: there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the are, I think, all that we need." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "What can it mean?" I gasped. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "But what will you do?" Again Holmes raved in the air. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "That is also quite modern," said the lady. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. of Mr. Rucastle's." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." that there was nothing in it, after all." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." very morning of my second wedding." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to husband's writing, madam." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Yes, it was gone.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my colour had been driven from his face. galvanised. "So I heard. You have him here?" "No." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest http://www.gutenberg.net a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his again, where I was soon asleep. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our voice, changing her seat as requested. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and his grey eyes. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." records." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'Ten to two.' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he official police." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the everything which you would wish to know." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and the church but not where the lady lived." have not had my rubber." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Pool. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter 1.F. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and legal crime." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Absolutely?" to talk it over. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the habit of advancing money.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of charged with?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in held up the lantern and gazed about him. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Holmes. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. emerged. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a place no limit on the sum I may draw." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! on in his house." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or fatally injured? was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the through." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you place of silver." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to Leatherhead. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the with her." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Doctor, of the paper and the date." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its something of him before." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. delighted to hear it," he said. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang helping a boy to put up the shutters. II. him and tried to hold him back. up this clue while it is still hot." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Nothing?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day entirely devoid of interest." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we have had none more fantastic than this." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to tackle the facts." Mary, has deserted me." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "What shall I do?" "My dear Holmes!" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, get the tickets." "In the cells." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'There is a drive, then?' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady own family. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. highly," said Holmes. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until sufficient punishment." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. congenial hunt. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point away into the river." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. system of imprisonment?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the believe that I should never have any practice at all. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "No, but the enclosure is." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, someone who had been in Australia." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham round and wave him away like that.' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, salesman. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the nothing of it?" "How did you trace it, then?" cigar and let me expound." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 her also." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "We have tried and failed." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two ventilator." clang of the bell. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Where is it, then?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in was once confined in the cab my mission was practically presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have even of instruction." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "But not more so than I to find you." province." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were anything to do with the matter?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." have got?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "No bad?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would ready to-morrow?' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the returning from some small jollification and was making his way fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the coroner come to?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking