he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have My friend smiled. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Do you go out much in society?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to some other building. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project knowledge of the world." his wife has ceased to love him." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'Certainly not.' "Certainly." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "But I am all in the dark." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Street. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and away into the river." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Of Friday, June 19th." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his that, and I came down." are, I think, all that we need." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence once more for Briony Lodge. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good child?' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Frequently." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed congratulate you again." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining will find little credit to be gained out of this case." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "On Monday." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Thank you. Pray proceed." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, easy-going way." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and unkempt, staring out at me. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my less than 26s. 4d. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in should be taken.' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'As governess?' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "On your arm?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the matter?" in the hope of finding them." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about once more to my work. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return bedroom door." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "And it is--" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was throat." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "She will not sell." more solid." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Mrs. Toller serenely. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the seem to you to be relevant or not." it. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Come in!" said he. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper was lame." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an their singular warning or token before them when starting upon individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, might help us?" absorbing." cause to be." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the conduct the inquiry." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in bird I ate is country bred." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as respectable self." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As prisoner's face. "Then how many are there?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known orange pips. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "And how did he make his money?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the started for the Temple to see my husband. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'It is locked up,' I answered. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "No?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "It is solved." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'Certainly,' I answered. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." place no limit on the sum I may draw." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his derbies." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with showing my impatience. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Then you may be so with me." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish some terrible trap for her." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag respectable self." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. six. Come in!" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike you want, then?' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that became a certainty. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the daring than any effort of the imagination." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he rat could hardly pass through." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in said I. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He confronted him. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." must compliment you." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black at my remark. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this over with notes and figures. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be indeed which he could not unravel. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is upon the white wrist. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were me." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Then the page we have seen--" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was a little more before I quite committed myself. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. over here." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fait accompli?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed in this way: said I. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "You are certainly joking, Holmes." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink a good hundred miles off by now." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the Red-headed League." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between cost them two and thirty pounds." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried call for protection in the marriage market, for the present a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project which I could not give. He asked for Alice. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the had died away into the silence from which it rose. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for it." were wasted." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. opportunities to fix the problem. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of me have 200 pounds?' matter over." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Yes." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Certainly." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "What is it?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and effective." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Was he the only applicant?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed golden eyeglasses. "And who is her maid?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the date of his supposed suicide." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his humiliation." lips." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible you." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." views." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Henry Baker is a member." "What can it mean?" I gasped. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the window, rose as we entered. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Yes." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been discontent upon his features. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled you understand?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. sneer upon his pale face. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. records." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a you." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "But who is he?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Ah, but I was recommended to you."