truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. constraint." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without gigantic client. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Very truly yours, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while works. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and no precautions can guard against." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Yesterday." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Sutherland. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the tragedy. "She walked into the breakfast-room." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Where did you address your letters, then?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "What steps will you take?" I asked. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Well, some hundreds of times." way in." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Yes, it would be as well." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Not in the least." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither with her." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would just ask you whether you had heard it.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "In answer to an advertisement." "Seven!" I answered. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "How did you trace it, then?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I am to be neutral?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. his eyes and forehead. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in quickly through a disagreeable task. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his when your master had gone out." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off bearing upon the case." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an to go into your room and bar your shutters?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "That is it on the dressing-table." in. business?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes, at the mines." "Of Friday, June 19th." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate assist you in forming an opinion." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "It is his hat." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the you do it in twenty minutes!' nonsense.' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a go--none." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of this gang." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and less than 26s. 4d. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I am in hopes that she does." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the official police." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless come either from the window or the door. My attention was "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his front of me. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'Ten to two.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to was feeling which was the fattest.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to might help us?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "She showed me, as I told you she would." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is fled together." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know gone before you can get him to hospital." McCarthy." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "An accident, I presume?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the have one." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." definite end. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "'I am sure that I do not know.' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's name is different." 1.E.9. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'Then let me do so?' bird of prey. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend you, my dear young lady?' had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of the way of danger. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the feature." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive you in yours." away to you." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the coronet in his hands?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Just look it up, then." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "No." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "But what is it you wish?" "You think that he is dead?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Cross for the Continent." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. directly by questioning you." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness side. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would father's place of business?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Pray do so." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "To an English lawyer named Norton." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. throat." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the redistribution. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has trifles." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and time." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Watson," he said cordially. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have not as remarkable as your advertisement." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, secret." "I do." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out third from London." "At the wedding breakfast." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium enter Dr. Roylott's room." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De opportunities to fix the problem. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Did you become engaged then?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has disturbance in my wife." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "By no means." "'What, the red-headed man?' "'Entirely.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense him." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is My friend smiled. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small you." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let was a lad." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "It goes to the housekeeper's room." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock father's young wife. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his individual and becomes the badge of a society." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards his knees, staring into the fire. take the flies, but not before." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a upon a handsome competence. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who look upon these things in a different way." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Well?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Miss Holder?" humiliation." "How can you tell that?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." notes," he said. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Yes, he did." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" crackling voice. "And I." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my over part of the map. "What do you read?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent with frightened eyes at his accuser. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon them, and came down just as you departed. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. annoyance, but no jest. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Murdered?" it were putty." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had whereabouts. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who business in the City. She little knew what. "I will not look." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I guessed as much." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and a shock of very red hair. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Oh, yes, easily." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I should wish to." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "The Cedars?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my to tackle the facts." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, in. giving me time to thank him. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely retorted upon me, and I on you." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Lee, in the county of Kent." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates seem to you to be relevant or not." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that never to learn it at all." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked me upon any point which I do not make clear." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "And you can do nothing until then?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should points in connection with it which never have been, and probably wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would