after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his past. confronted him. will not take me long to tell. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Thank you. And your address?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such to a light-house. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." case-book, which he consulted. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It is possible." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" letters?" of Fenchurch Street." but preventing her from injuring another. morning." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from searched, without anything being found which could incriminate him and tried to hold him back. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "It certainly sounds feasible." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be was a loud and authoritative tap. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round goes." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir recover the gem." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the more terrible than the truth. to Leatherhead. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and the church but not where the lady lived." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Where, indeed?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the quickly through a disagreeable task. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "And the cigar-holder?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Street. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It retorted upon me, and I on you." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague is worth.' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his shall not find me ungrateful." is four-and-twenty." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as used to be." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "My dear Holmes!" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Pray let us have it, for all that." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. bare slabs of marble. second window is the one that I jumped from." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "On Monday." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days himself. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" mysterious business." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" never will be, entirely cleared up. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which call for it in person on Monday morning.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from strong reason behind." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the station." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far From what you have told me I think that it is possible that all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Come in!" said he. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the driver. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "But your client--" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare so far?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the is a common subject for conversation. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her charge against him will break down." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her him." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets bare slabs of marble. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the Red-headed League." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and six. Come in!" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to roused himself from his reverie. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce as he remarks, very much against the son." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I have a cab outside." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to on in his house." the King without delay." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual with some details as to your case." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'Stolen!' he cried. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And your father? Did you tell him?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Ten to two.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question DISSOLVED. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Why did you beat the pavement?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "None." "And the cigar-holder?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Was he the only applicant?" chambers. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Sutherland?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to said he. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your never came back." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of as this. Pray let me have the details." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just occupations.' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It outbreak?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "He said that you could solve anything." public press." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and see me here to avoid scandal." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I am still in the dark." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old despaired of." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled lost his Christmas dinner." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said later, upon the night of May 2nd." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But shall not find me ungrateful." entirely lost his self-respect." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal footfalls from the street. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or me." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." go--none." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of the efforts of the United States government and of the better told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main with the outside air!" "Dr. Becher's." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, stood on the top of it. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately had died away into the silence from which it rose. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Ample." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I have hopes." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things death." made his money." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began there was no need for father to know." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "How did you deduce the select?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. kindly on the shoulder. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I would pay ten." the matter?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "You have but to name it." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "My own seal." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." during that time.' "'Certainly not.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Your sister is dead, then?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just politicians who had been sent down from the North. man. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, some water from a caraffe. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Do you know him?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his memory. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "No good news?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I answered that I had not. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner anything to do with the matter?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it minor matters until to-morrow." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Certainly not. But why?' all that?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Then how many are there?" which our visitor detailed to us. "Quite so." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the breakfast." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'What are you doing there?' he asked. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish flock.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "BALLARAT." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "That sounds a little paradoxical." "You think that he is dead?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the out." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it present." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of with you alone." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Lee, in the county of Kent." stalked out of the room. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and that he would see to anything that turned up. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Heh?' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider