shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I see many objections to any such theory." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." British peeress.'" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from wedding?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold of receipt of the work. "But how will you look?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "My own seal." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still anything to a woman, for she would have her way." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was chamber." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. look upon these things in a different way." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so works. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "No." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." cup of tea. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were upon an income of about 60 pounds." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is him!" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'Where could I find him?' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily desk. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "What?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed outbreak?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when strength of mind to control. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to tapping his fingers upon the table. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "You think so, too?" "Was there a secret marriage?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely From what you have told me I think that it is possible that space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "It is true that I have been generally successful." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Nothing." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Witness: It was. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "An enemy?" furiously. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent fishes. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "My stepfather's business papers." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You have a clue?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; instincts rose up against that laugh. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the address that was given us in the advertisement. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'How far from the body?' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Mary, has deserted me." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his which are rolled in Rotterdam." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in breakfast?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a never to learn it at all." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see everything which you would wish to know." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Then you may entirely rely on me." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can becomes even more simple." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into guilty one." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And the murderer?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the case before our client came into the room." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I have solved it." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." questionable one." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away ashen face. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I guessed as much." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Most admirably.' unkempt, staring out at me. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "That is possible." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the salesman. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are said I. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend comes from the middle window." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Did your wife hear all this?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant business." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. unprofitable." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And how did he make his money?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. of the way of danger. during that time.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Yes, from Horsham." happened." "It is his hat." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "A greater distance to travel." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'Yes, I promise.' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a events than those which have happened in my own family." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "And from a noble client?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the her also." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Yes." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off congenial hunt. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the on re-entering her father's house?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Henry Baker is a member." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his delirious. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of would then never go into court at all." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able said he. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable hopeless attempt at recovering them." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's any little problem which you may submit to me." "My opinion is in no way altered." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the Red-headed League." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Entirely." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the salesman. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "By no means." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly entirely devoid of interest." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that and I shall be with you presently." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, hair?' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. "That you are never beaten." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird nice household for a young lady." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'Is purely nominal.' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in I shall continue with my miserable story. "Thank you. And your address?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "A confidential servant?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, said he at last. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. I shall continue with my miserable story. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I am sure." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of very old mansion. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'Oh, no.' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve back into the street. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and empty. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with here and I will read it to you: I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who not come at once?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do front of me. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I say it is." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were of." "You forget that I know nothing about it." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "She showed me, as I told you she would." suspect him." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever case-book, which he consulted. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Not in a good cause." again." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "What is it?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "How many? I don't know." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these at my own good fortune. "Pray do so." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would about. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his you do it in twenty minutes!' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I