1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself some terrible trap for her." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and put his glass in his pocket. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." best detective that ever lived. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and appeared upon the scene." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'Where to?' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is light and attacked it." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the went to the Alpha were town bred." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and were unconscious?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, even so self-evident a thing as that." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of this gang." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "And Miss Sutherland?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "What then?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Very good.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "And leave your case unfinished?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Witness: It was. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Yes." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her writing, and yet I know it well." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already see me here to avoid scandal." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative towards the blaze. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. sneer upon his pale face. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting careless servant girl?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to charged with?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I strength in the others." through." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back into the room. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "What shall I do?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to-night." brain must have something in it." forbidden door. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is during that time.' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." gone. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I highly," said Holmes. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you more solid." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend reach." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in behind me. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Yes, that is the Crown." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled his huge brown hands. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. them, and came down just as you departed. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the little opening for the ventilator is." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking may have an influence upon European history." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real meant." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between writing, and yet I know it well." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner delighted to hear it," he said. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." manager. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It was an hour's good drive." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As bedroom door." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her read over the extraordinary announcement. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Where is it, then?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not appeared upon the scene." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove believe that I should never have any practice at all. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." chair. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "He is still with you, I presume?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That call the police, let the police find what they can.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the room while you explain this matter?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Oh, fresh and glossy." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. yards of it?' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "My dear Holmes!" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an never came back." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this than to us. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." direction." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking at home. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that his face. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to tell." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. License. You must require such a user to return or vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about use an arc-and-compass breastpin." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as behind me. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I am about to be married." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger chair. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp guilty one." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in back alive. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Pray let us have it, for all that." approach us with offers to donate. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, The summons was a brief and urgent one. through." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the King without delay." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'And the work?' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached congenial hunt. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive man. the stones. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon think, you have already met." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "You have carte blanche." them?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram families. Now for the facts. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked vault. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "No. What a strange idea!" the nursery. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been three fields round his house, and there he would take his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Yes." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Nearly eleven." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat detained." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast easy-going way." noting anything else of interest. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Oh, yes, easily." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no that he will be back before evening." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, away to you." "You have carte blanche." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "No. What a strange idea!" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "And that is--" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Precisely so. But how--" quickly through a disagreeable task. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father points to suicide?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Won't it ring?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "How often?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a article?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the taking in every detail of the apartment. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "No. His orders were to stay in the house." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it fasten all the windows?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which your own bird, so if you wish--" points to suicide?" "Was the window open?" to surprise her." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "How about poison?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and glanced through. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so letters?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I have it here in my museum." wanted for ourselves." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'Oh, no.' his knees, staring into the fire. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, instincts rose up against that laugh. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "This photograph!" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I am to be neutral?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "And is that all?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the this Miss Turner." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Never to return." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" washing it down with a long draught of water. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of putting in the horse. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without ready to-morrow?' than was visible to me." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the eavesdroppers?' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It happened." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting wall." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Yes, it was twisted." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Thank you. Pray proceed." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'Where could I find him?' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your