suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite You want to know what became of those geese?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with 'please.'" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "How many? I don't know." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, be best to do. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and hands. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the friends, not even his own brother. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the fashion which was peculiar to him. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can him to go away.' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made just ask you whether you had heard it.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, cheerful." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful spark where all is dark to me." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe case before our client came into the room." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Frequently." morning." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her already referred to. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and capable of preserving a secret.' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's gone before you can get him to hospital." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master already been minutely examined." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was success. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Is purely nominal.' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at than to us. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "And now?" He raised his hand. "My last client of the sort was a king." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should side. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added nothing with him." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but prisoner's face. Holmes rather sternly. other means.' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'Is purely nominal.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the Friday. Was it to be in church?" security.' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with this unhappy family?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive served to weaken the effect. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that written. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the such attractions and accomplishments?' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'I have already given you my word.' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "No. What a strange idea!" "Precisely." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am lost his Christmas dinner." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You will not go there first?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I which are rolled in Rotterdam." know all about it," he snarled. his cane at the bell-pull. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. it means?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. upon the sideboard." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "My dear Holmes!" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to chance at all." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent outside." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "From his hat?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my weapon." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me His smile broadened. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "He said that you could solve anything." conceal it?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem me upon any point which I do not make clear." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the iron safe, which he closed upon it. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after colour had been driven from his face. of the vacancies.' out of this horrible affair." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the him." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right crowd. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about brandy and water within his reach. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "That's no good." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of been deceived." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, DAMAGE. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the inquest, and which are worth considering." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "And why?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should points to suicide?" "You are all wrong." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of as this. Pray let me have the details." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to The events in question occurred in the early days of my propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are brandy and water within his reach. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I see no marks." "Did he not advertise?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Mrs. Toller serenely. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I take the flies, but not before." main points of my analysis." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at page at http://pglaf.org one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel call you and give you the chance." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I see many objections to any such theory." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an depend upon your compliance." is acting for the best. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning one's self under obligations.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was cup of tea. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'Certainly not.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and bedroom door." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear problems help me to do so." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double a very grave face. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were directors have had misgivings upon the subject." to some other building. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "We were both in the photograph." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Witness: I must still refuse. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. to tackle the facts." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police him to go away.' "I cannot tell." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." you do it in twenty minutes!' enter Dr. Roylott's room." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Miss Holder?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Ample." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Again Holmes raved in the air. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell where she found matters as described by the last witness. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an been anything against him. He had for years been known as a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that matters immensely." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of the vacancies.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Could he throw no light?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. outsides of the windows. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Where, indeed?" clang of the bell. there was no need for father to know." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Yes, certainly." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You horrify me." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box seen the man in the road." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she death." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the my room." "Where did you address your letters, then?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at a room. "I would pay ten." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple fait accompli?" suddenly upon us." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the third from London." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "But you can know nothing of this?" young Openshaw's." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. said he. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'A dozen yards or so.' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the station." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Yes." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and my former friend and companion. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored You can understand that this register and diary may implicate companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who with the outside air!" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of following enigmatical notices: "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall conversation I have gathered that they have been married about investigation." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his families. Now for the facts. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and capable of preserving a secret.' than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most page at http://pglaf.org had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "But how did you gain them?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would