His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Why? What do you mean?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "The gentleman I describe." his face. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with province." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the murdered man." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "My own seal." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, to surprise her." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "At half-wages, in fact." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "To an English lawyer named Norton." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it behind me. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some never came back." in. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Then what has happened to him?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out instincts rose up against that laugh. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears hour?' the station." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "But how will you look?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For interests were the same as his." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know followed. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "No good news?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "It is very kind of you." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I am to be neutral?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "This concluded the examination of the witness." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that details." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss I was concerned in it." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and over with notes and figures. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. views." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Frequently." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the it." empty. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "And now?" I asked. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the money should be paid at once.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he nonsense.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert there in twenty minutes." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was families. Now for the facts. she might be summoned. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well drawing your inferences." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow invisible to me," I remarked. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." public press." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have we went to search for him, face downward in a little cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you just called myself is not exactly my own." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her this truth that in these little records of our cases which you a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but recover the gem." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose come either from the window or the door. My attention was This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the made him keep the appointment." "'Why that?' I asks. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was once more. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' opportunities to fix the problem. "Ah!" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the a good hundred miles off by now." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much business came to an end." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the iron safe, which he closed upon it. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "And the cigar-holder?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads jewels which you have stolen?' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Did he not advertise?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "No, I had a dozen." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one when you have done it." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging upon an income of about 60 pounds." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I know where it is." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case peculiar to him. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things directors, with the result that you have seen." trying to your nerves." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Chief Executive and Director "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. papers on the sundial.'" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Yes, sir." stepfather?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure my special province." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but begun to whiten, even as mine has." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I cannot say that I have." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates colonel looking down at me. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered vault. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' wanted for ourselves." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in questioning and rather startled gaze. distinguish the words: willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to miss it." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' friend's singular character. dates and names. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the entirely lost his self-respect." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we was feeling which was the fattest.' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Witness: I must still refuse. "You have compromised yourself seriously." Stoke Moran." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that is so. I know all about McCarthy." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and garden below. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked investigation." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull have established a very serious case against the son of the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "And it is--" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'Which dealer's?' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. little trying to do so much typewriting?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Your presence might be invaluable." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next results." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of giving me time to thank him. "Yes, the wine-cellar." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Was she in good spirits?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and mystery may be cleared along those lines." second window is the one that I jumped from." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Oh, yes, easily." I shall communicate with you." quick march!" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. knowledge of the world." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "No, distinctly professional." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I breakfast." woman." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father prison!" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the running down." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is make me his representative both with the servants and with the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Yes, I promise.' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the me where it went to?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he night.' said he. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and I shall be with you presently." "Yes?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in sake, don't!" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Nothing." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible British peeress.'" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, ceremony." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that works. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a read it out to me." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Arthur Conan Doyle "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Very well, sir. And this stone?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "If so, much may have happened between." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings brandy and water within his reach. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Certainly,' I answered. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "No, I am descending." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice gigantic client. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then husband's writing, madam." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "BALLARAT." my friend's incisive reasoning. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in fishes. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a locked. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But me where it went to?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Why, it's a dummy," said he. could go. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then discontent upon his features. feature." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. fact, we may call it conclusive." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with something of him before." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was weighed down with some great anxiety. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "You have carte blanche." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have