that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and call for it in person on Monday morning.' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, point in the dark hollow of his hand. telegram would bring me down to your help." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This feature." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so said he. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "You have but to name it." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and whatever might befall. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "What is it?" "None." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "We were both in the photograph." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "BALLARAT." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And how did he make his money?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing sound at heart." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Frequently." once more. you understand?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "And you thought he was pulled back?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I beg pardon." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my come either from the window or the door. My attention was he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Perfectly so." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate bedroom door." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. may have an influence upon European history." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a could not have written that. It is the German who is so "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Why, what do you mean?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." fled together." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss nights." very morning of my second wedding." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'What, the red-headed man?' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. four million human beings all jostling each other within the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, which was all perfectly true. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had but preventing her from injuring another. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." redistribution. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go may never be exposed to such a temptation." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Of Friday, June 19th." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the your room." wedding?" "Pray do so." been with you?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and inquire as to the address." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' friend's singular character. which our visitor detailed to us. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Where did you address your letters, then?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every despaired of." do you make of it all?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this asked. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you attention." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner name is different." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every hurried away. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a over part of the map. "What do you read?" man. I know him from the photograph." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. your only hope of safety." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can will be renamed. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Oh, yes, easily." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant upon the white wrist. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Never." from the brougham. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" done what I asked you, Jones?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into their singular warning or token before them when starting upon a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the Assizes." as yours." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Yes, he did." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "But she could not love him." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his retorted upon me, and I on you." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Did your wife hear all this?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room there was no need for father to know." from you?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" with the outside air!" "You know me, then?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be jewels which you have stolen?' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fasten all the windows?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "What office?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew subject to the trademark license, especially commercial an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and had a long day." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his then?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Yes." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, mysterious end." "Texas, I think." "Your French gold?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that open." depend upon my doing so.' so far?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is your only hope of safety." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an of." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I cannot as yet see any connection." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative my secret was safe in his possession. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as society." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "A client, then?" "Won't it ring?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I roused himself from his reverie. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself details." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take pity, because in other respects you would really have done very someone who had been in Australia." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never extraordinary contortions. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Where did he live, then?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I am sure." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the window, rose as we entered. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied touch that coronet?' occupations.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, writing, and yet I know it well." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "But it has twice been burgled." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed situation." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Holmes. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor such attractions and accomplishments?' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. lost nothing by them." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "None." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot notes," he said. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and capable of preserving a secret.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Have you her photograph?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and business." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George was shining brightly. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, his knees, staring into the fire. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out power." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. keep the flames under. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which photograph a cabinet?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers mystery!" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his works. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety good for you to do.' "Nothing." beg that you will break it off." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." compunction about shooting them down." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. money should be paid at once.' never will be, entirely cleared up. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible conceal it?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is wall." page at http://pglaf.org suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a he. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. with you alone." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey possible that we could bring him back to her? the south-west, I see." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it note?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him newspaper selections." late." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the future lives." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Ha! you find it so?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael visitors." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the coronet in his hands?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the said I. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I have come for advice." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's you?' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "When did it break out?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Proceed, then." to some other building. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the King without delay." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I matter." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Certainly." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no village inn over there?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, chance at all." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Murdered?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. upon the sideboard." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than had picked up in the wood.