now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It is possible." McCarthy." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I have my revolver," said I. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "So I have heard." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "But we can't all be." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and I shall be with you presently." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in detained." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point with frightened eyes at his accuser. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "The best possible." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I saw her in conversation with her maid." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." careless servant girl?" "Game for a morning drive?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." there when the Rucastles went away." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I have seen the police." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "She told me to ask you." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "And sit in the dark?" attention." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in certainly do as you advise." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew them, and came down just as you departed. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her were wasted." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I am armed." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were companion. depend upon your compliance." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was foresight and the moral retrogression?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "And sit in the dark?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite when you have done it." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own other, as fresh and trim as possible. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would and looked back. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. round and wave him away like that.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Dr. Gregory B. Newby forebodings. ago." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "No sign of it?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Well, it is a possible supposition." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "It is solved." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Gutenberg-tm License. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Where, indeed?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the date of his supposed suicide." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying breakfast?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know shall use the carriage to-night." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you shall use the carriage to-night." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" disappearance of the bride.'" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was have been better. It is all right." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "How did he come?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "When did it break out?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were held up the lantern and gazed about him. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Count Von Kramm." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I nodded again. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "And now?" I asked. lamp in his hand. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods charged with?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." strong and stiff." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would when your master had gone out." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness giving me time to thank him. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread tell me that you intended to go into harness." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall use an arc-and-compass breastpin." horse could go." "'Certainly,' I answered. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Quite sure, dad.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that words came to my lips. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch at my remark. "Her father is very rich?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, indiscretion." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. our word." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I see many objections to any such theory." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, colour had been driven from his face. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Where did you address your letters, then?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Get out!" said he. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can married her." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a bell. Holmes whistled. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' I held the little printed slip to the light. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this bed dies. Does not that strike you?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire his huge brown hands. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now quick march!" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little mysterious business." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "What?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my papers must be those that are destroyed.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You were wasted." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and plantation.' how narrow had been my escape. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "He said that you could solve anything." them present such singular features as the strange train of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the child." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the nursery. "No, finished." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue is now desirous of getting those letters back." in darkness. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "What have you done?" asked Holmes. future lives." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Eyford." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Did he not advertise?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very call it cruel." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "How about poison?" I approached. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "None." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "You did not overhear what they said?" off." gone. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Could he throw no light?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has recover the gem." miles off. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of this gang." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "No, I think that I'll take it." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. during which he might have communicated with his friend the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. asked. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Could he throw no light?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "What office?" "So it appears." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." at my own good fortune. populous neighbourhood." "Not particularly." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from morning." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of murdered man." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "And when will you call?" "About a month then." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "How do you know, then?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the way in." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the night.' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I outside. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked waste of energy." occurred." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband to you." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most could not have written that. It is the German who is so an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat himself to hunt down. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand it." to me. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm been with you?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Munro.' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Sholtos." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "No more words. Get out!" electronic works ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. attention." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and the whole place is in a blaze." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no client, rising. "A call for help, you thought?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as asked with his eyes open. the morning and make my own way in the world.' his face. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station.