you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to said he. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing that there was nothing in it, after all." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the at a side door. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "10th. John Swain cleared. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but this poor creature." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his sake, don't!" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking entirely devoid of interest." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And help." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He there." skylight. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Imitated." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of locked." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, cost them two and thirty pounds." I think that I could be of assistance to you." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on know all about it," he snarled. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I think that I had better go, Holmes." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California little adventures." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in fuss that is made over them." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the hopeless attempt at recovering them." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect hour?' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent McCarthy." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "And for present expenses?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between situation." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and next day. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a salesman. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Certainly, madam." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "And did you observe any change in her then?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Then, as to money?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "No, finished." respectable self." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the bed, and you in that chair." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in meant." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the place of silver." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily your co-operation." thin legs towards the fire. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, seem to you to be relevant or not." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes It was close upon four before the door opened, and a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. passage and a tap at the door. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He have I gained?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door locked." highroad, where all traces were lost. investigation." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. be. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" fatally injured? he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Was there a secret marriage?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the before, for it was considerably after midnight. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Watson," he said cordially. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and you in yours." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Countess of Morcar's?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I but preventing her from injuring another. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a nothing with him." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your once more on the important position which you have been fortunate outsides of the windows. yourselves in at night?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the very letters. But what is this written above them?' himself. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that there was nothing in it, after all." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Count Von Kramm." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." dead, shall be safe with us." fishes. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Your presence might be invaluable." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I shall most certainly do so." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy seen the man in the road." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely bachelor.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE open." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and tension within him. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "It surprised me." McCarthy's innocence. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and the colonel ushered me in. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm not within a twentieth part of the market price." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, neither fascinating nor artistic." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. did not hear it also.' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "My private note-paper." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, my former friend and companion. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have outbreak?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a this poor creature." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." her also." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "So I have heard." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." these bleak autumnal evenings." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the one as in the other." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "To ruin me." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." My friend smiled. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, green of the new foliage. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most to a light-house. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to was a lad." himself to tell his story. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "And why?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, nights." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to woven round him. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the dangers which encompass me." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the I leave." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case went to the Alpha were town bred." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he through." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "You did not overhear what they said?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Pope's Court. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Never,' said I. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I do." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his recover the gem." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, him, that man would not have given me such complete information by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle my little problems." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "At what time?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Dirty?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Is he quiet?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "But his lameness?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "By train from Waterloo." unclasping of his long thin hands. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "No, distinctly professional." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "What do you make of that, Watson?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work recover the gem." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Yes." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." with some details as to your case." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very occupations.' "The gentleman I describe." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second she used." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Oh, fresh and glossy." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained me where it went to?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son maid will bring up your coffee." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and business." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes had died away into the silence from which it rose. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was look upon these things in a different way." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "And how in the world did you find them?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your in your London, you will know that the office of the company is I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "And what then?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "And from a noble client?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must absorbing." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit mystery may be cleared along those lines." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was guilty one." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is straightened it out again. key of the affair now." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating that I can to serve you." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Leave Paddington by the 11:15." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the