"So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a carried out of court." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "No, but the enclosure is." "And for present expenses?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And read over the extraordinary announcement. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Not him." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, chance at all." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I cannot imagine." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the salesman. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Serpentine Avenue. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He upon a handsome competence. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful weapon." seen the man in the road." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person crackling voice. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Tired-looking or fresh?" out." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'How far from the body?' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by means taking possession of that which another person has a prior dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." direction." better in every way that they should make their position a little man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make returned to France?" "'Never,' said I. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to learned something! Where are the gems?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor all?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would distance from the station, and there we found the young lady spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. taking in every detail of the apartment. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, business matters.' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about said Mr. Holder. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to that you wished to speak to me?' should be so warm over such a trifle." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in results." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while will he say when he returns?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his but preventing her from injuring another. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And why?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, populous neighbourhood." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Clair, of Lee." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I see many objections to any such theory." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Yes, sir." delirious. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day little adventures." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to straightened it out again. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and sofa. This way, please!" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "He is still with you, I presume?" "Very truly yours, to his chemical studies. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Yes. He waved his hands." where she found matters as described by the last witness. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to tackle the facts." "Then you may be so with me." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Where does the thing come from?' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the tragedy. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Of what?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I will do it." "Yes." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed But Holmes shook his head gravely. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to province." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'Yes, sir.' a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "The best possible." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in business matters.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary drove away. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of fatally injured? not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much desk. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make fattened it expressly for you.' on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found all?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I came to find a friend." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been at my own good fortune. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "And the cigar-holder?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Then I can wait in the next room." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "But his left-handedness." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "To an end?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Entirely." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and of the way of danger. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Precisely." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of the way of danger. to some other building. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg more terrible than the truth. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Seven!" I answered. constraint." you understand?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to door?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, hair?' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in daring than any effort of the imagination." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It is half-past ten now." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Have you it here?" the devil!" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and get her out of the way." that threaten you." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always chemical work which was so dear to him. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming vanished into the darkness. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "But how?" what I may call a really hard day's work." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered call it cruel." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had hereditary King of Bohemia." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "None." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "That you are never beaten." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and so.' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'And the work?' daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the some water from a caraffe. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that corner of the building. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, confronted him. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead hurried away. as he folded up the epistle. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the within hail.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was suggested at once that there must be a communication between the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'You cannot say what it was?' forebodings. business matters.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I over with notes and figures. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no like that before?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "The decline of his fortunes, then?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Sholtos." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was face and glided from the room. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. disappearance of the bride.'" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. details." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "You have a clue?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." go--none." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone without success. At last the little money which I had saved began awkward doing business with an alias." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Do you know him?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I some terrible trap for her." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." go from here to the Strand." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed invisible to me," I remarked. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "The rest you will leave in our hands." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him hand, madam?" III. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "But you can know nothing of this?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Oh, yes, easily." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Does that suggest anything?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "One of the highest in England." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the matter." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during redistribution. interests were the same as his." "And I to find an enemy." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but during that time.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul arrangements." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'I am sure that I do not know.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would morning." "What are they?"