characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from to-morrow." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between it." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, situation." to miss it." "I will, Miss Turner." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a hurried away. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. article?" think you a quite exceptional woman." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the trying to your nerves." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Not social, then?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "How are you getting on?" of." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to as he remarks, very much against the son." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "No." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." less than 26s. 4d. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of through." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "None." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading situation." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man least a most suspicious remark." appointment with me for six o'clock?" invisible to me," I remarked. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Did your wife hear all this?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "And it is--" weary and pale-looking. hurried away. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this call for it in person on Monday morning.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Yes." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love made him keep the appointment." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which upon a handsome competence. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Oh, the cause is excellent!" call it cruel." look dissatisfied." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and own family. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable it with his own hands." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. records." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the driver. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "But how will you look?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I I held the little printed slip to the light. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the night.' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I was mad--insane." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another do.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Then I shall certainly come." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a know that the truth is known." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air was feeling which was the fattest.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "And I say east," said my patient. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wanted for ourselves." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of what I may call a really hard day's work." question. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project me. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next such attractions and accomplishments?' papers diligently of late, have you not?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated and inquire as to the address." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Leadenhall Street--and--" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone time." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'Stolen!' he cried. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was handed it to him. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united compunction about shooting them down." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they derbies." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Yes, but only for you and me." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the coronet in his hands?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably this man was intellectual?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose man. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first daring than any effort of the imagination." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "No, I am descending." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, I was concerned in it." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "What is it?" discontent upon his features. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was trying to your nerves." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the window, rose as we entered. "But what harm can there be in that?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a think that any burglar could have done. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I am armed." question," said Holmes, smiling. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital gone before you can get him to hospital." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we I have it here in my museum." "You horrify me!" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' could gather together that I was able to avert another public again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Her father is very rich?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had union?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be behind me. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I will get her to show me." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all true." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I have solved it." quite distinctive." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "How can you tell that?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our thought that she would have been so carried away." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my that he has suffered." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the been with you?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the salesman. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the http://www.gutenberg.net be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Never." "It certainly sounds feasible." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian *** START: FULL LICENSE *** as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "In San Francisco, a year ago." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Bought." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "But not more so than I to find you." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, have accepted such a situation. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I guessed as much." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room nights." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker whatever might befall. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him business?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt problems help me to do so." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of had picked up in the wood. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the coronet at all injured?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in words came to my lips. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "My dear Holmes!" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting highroad, where all traces were lost. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the companion quietly. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "How can you tell that?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, her also." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present burst out into a roar of laughter. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save do.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Pray do so." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend was already answered. in my life." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are fait accompli?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Bought." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "That's no good." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the fear." sneer upon his pale face. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' may never be exposed to such a temptation." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, hopeless attempt at recovering them." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the mystery." it." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly dramatic, in fact." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was said I. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and from the brougham. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with is," said he presently: red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and is so. I know all about McCarthy." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I will not look." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But business came to an end." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the him!" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Why? What do you mean?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who that he has suffered." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "What will you do, then?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's instincts rose up against that laugh. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from me where it went to?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to how narrow had been my escape. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "No, I had a dozen." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can works. See paragraph 1.E below. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the results." even so self-evident a thing as that." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and prosperity to your house. Good-night." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and wall." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "You have but to name it." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' hurried by. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, had a long day."