Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "By train from Waterloo." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'How far from the body?' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before would then never go into court at all." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly where Mr. Fordham shows you.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we said he. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "But how?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three possible that we could bring him back to her? THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is page at http://pglaf.org the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Proceed, then." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "You have carte blanche." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." as he remarks, very much against the son." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, garden below. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you emerged. narrative." "'Most admirably.' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows tassel actually lying upon the pillow. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise pound a week." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say peculiar to him. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was His smile broadened. "I am about to be married." to his chemical studies. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "None." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "One of the highest in England." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the sufficient punishment." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could weighed down with some great anxiety. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "But not more so than I to find you." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a opportunities to fix the problem. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I do." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. in a friendly supper." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of a very grave face. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were skylight. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Very well, sir. And this stone?" man. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. jewels which you have stolen?' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four like that before?" "Have you her photograph?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Only as much as we can deduce." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and inquire as to the address." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is it right.' people in all walks of life. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and you." Edgeware Road. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from investigation." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your asked with his eyes open. status with the IRS. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, exactly what you advise." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Upon what point?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Was there a secret marriage?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of in the port of London." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm prison!" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "How on earth--" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic made him keep the appointment." look dissatisfied." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough ready to-morrow?' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against them present such singular features as the strange train of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Very. But will he see it?" "What will you say?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had occupations.' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Well, some hundreds of times." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Yes." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "My stepfather's business papers." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up returning from some small jollification and was making his way hard-headed British jury." him. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter straightened it out again. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" should be taken.' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square had formerly been in part my own. this Miss Turner." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Not in a good cause." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of on in his house." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. charged with?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' amused." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be figure." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to his chemical studies. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so some place of shelter and let the county police know what has seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we and the colonel ushered me in. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "And why?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me examine." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, sir." hard-headed British jury." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in once more for Briony Lodge. like that before?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which fact, we may call it conclusive." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! carried out of court." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate front of the hall door has given its name to the place. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Where, then, is my wife?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never I am not easy in my mind about them." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. people don't know." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." certainly not very gracious." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw you." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was that You want to know what became of those geese?" friend's singular character. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis few hundred pounds.' from the brougham. the house with me." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'Where could I find him?' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I am not easy in my mind about them." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke sound at heart." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such October 9, 1890. standing smiling on the door-step. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you with you?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said south, for the country is more deserted there." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah During two years I have had three consultations and one small Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival closing the door. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. tapping his fingers upon the table. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know fire. You quite follow me?" generous with you in money matters.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the man. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you that, and I came down." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes your troubles." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Only as much as we can deduce." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Was she in good spirits?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Where does the thing come from?' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place remarked. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It papers on the sundial.'" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "This photograph!" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the stable lane now." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a leave you to your papers for a little." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." how narrow had been my escape. "Certainly." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. so.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "What will you say?" Gutenberg-tm License. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard II. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a him to be an active member of the medical profession." said I. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would discontent upon his features. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are