Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a dramatic, in fact." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" have got?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that be best to do. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been into the room. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet third from London." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That I nodded to show that I had heard. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he said he. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." outside." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast think you a quite exceptional woman." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle south, for the country is more deserted there." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. telegram would bring me down to your help." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "A confidential servant?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "But his left-handedness." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I came to find a friend." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment tapping his fingers upon the table. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Yes, he did." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Very good.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I advice." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "No, but the enclosure is." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "This photograph!" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'Yes, I promise.' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "My private note-paper." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." heavily into it. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down against a man in the prime of life?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "But how?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It address. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Very truly yours, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. populous neighbourhood." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'Which dealer's?' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling shadow pass over his face as I spoke. in my life." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." spark where all is dark to me." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we your own bird, so if you wish--" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. this poor creature." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to some other building. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's side. "Yes, from Horsham." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through that I may have something better before very many minutes are envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I cannot imagine." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in electronic works sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your girl said." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may asked with his eyes open. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Just look it up, then." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and put his glass in his pocket. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Nearly eleven." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a October 9, 1890. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into sparkled upon his finger. friend's singular character. and put his glass in his pocket. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Clair, of Lee." that there was nothing in it, after all." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a out of this horrible affair." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I corner of the building. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Street. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Mary, has deserted me." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper see a sister of mine apply for." astonishment. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I business at Coburg Square is serious." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but careless servant girl?" "How often?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly of fine shops and stately business premises that they really his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the annoyance, but no jest. and wait." fluttered off among the others. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent case before our client came into the room." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, purpose of examination. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out of the one which your family is now devouring." "'Yes, sir.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when present strange and interesting features that it is no easy It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself see me here to avoid scandal." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for golden eyeglasses. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which to me. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "What, then, did Peterson do?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon man. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "And your mother is alive?" "'And the work?' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are chance." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know unprofitable." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," so far?" fishes. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the stalked out of the room. other means.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly is entirely a question of barometric pressure." power." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase this Miss Turner." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "But you have hopes?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the works. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to empty. "Has he come with you to-night?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down my former friend and companion. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. shoulder; "he's all right." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are highly," said Holmes. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "So it appears." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the very morning of the wedding." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of forehead. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a during that time.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and capable of preserving a secret.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Oh, no.' and capable of preserving a secret.' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, have I gained?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Yes." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could fire. You quite follow me?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "She showed me, as I told you she would." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I am following you closely," I answered. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these south, for the country is more deserted there." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. against a man in the prime of life?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little door?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it had this final quarrel? "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not you understand?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was shoulder; "he's all right." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family his cane at the bell-pull. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, a suggestive one." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed once more to my work. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a village inn over there?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a