drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Yes." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I have hopes." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left for its centre. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." constraint." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have breakfast?" once more. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "You did not overhear what they said?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one allusion to a rat. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have roused himself from his reverie. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "VIOLET HUNTER." "No, my brougham is waiting." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." meant." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture hard-headed British jury." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but down. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at completely overtopped every other consideration that we both terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and mysterious end." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens your bag." of it with the greatest attention. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Your French gold?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than will not take me long to tell. "It came here." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Never." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a were unconscious?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I forbidden door. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "And the cigar-holder?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the absorbing." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "A call for help, you thought?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, my secret was safe in his possession. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our himself in a perplexing position. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "And did you observe any change in her then?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Of Friday, June 19th." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he The note was undated, and without either signature or address. room. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Dark enough and sinister enough." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such call it cruel." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs kindly on the shoulder. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. always that they were such commands as a lady might with believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "And that is--" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "How about poison?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached details." "By all means." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I know where it is." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about carried out of court." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "No." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. few hundred pounds.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the Assizes." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'Where to?' to arrive at through this?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the window, rose as we entered. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a London for the present?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." too. during that time.' which was all perfectly true. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! heavily into it. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was was a loud and authoritative tap. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards During two years I have had three consultations and one small though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Never." "Then, as to money?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Ample." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable cup of tea. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Pool. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my depend upon my doing so.' "Oh, yes, easily." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a six. Come in!" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my husband's writing, madam." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather tear off another piece?' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if that, and I came down." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." lost nothing by them." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "A call for help, you thought?" existence." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was brain must have something in it." "Ah!" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is round with crates and massive boxes. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has waste of energy." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Nothing." have an American origin." "What steps will you take?" I asked. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. that you saw all that I did." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Well?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he I. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the Assizes." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened signal between you and your father? his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the there has been an enclosure here!" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut within hail.' "And who is her maid?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "That is it on the dressing-table." "My opinion is in no way altered." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. careless servant girl?" it were putty." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Eh? What was that?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them round with crates and massive boxes. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Well, but China?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away salesman. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'Never.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "One of his hands." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three affair. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' my little problems." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my were wasted." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." without a word or a look. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his ways of our fellow-men." of the way of danger. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works appeal." burst out into a roar of laughter. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from of his shoulders. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'Most admirably.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with look dissatisfied." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest fire. You quite follow me?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet thin legs towards the fire. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood carried out of court." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted photograph a cabinet?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "But who is he?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have have got?" "In heaven's name, what for?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A beyond words. "Why did you beat the pavement?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I tell him that I know him to be innocent." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do pressing in one house as in another. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Could he throw no light?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the Red-headed League." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Stoke Moran." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond your only hope of safety." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the recover the gem." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this way in." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "And how did you find out?" some city in a dream. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I were wasted." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I forecastle of an emigrant ship. occupations.' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in salesman. "We were both in the photograph." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, if I call to-morrow?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and your relations to her." "It is possible." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long she has been waylaid. There has been no result." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. 11:15.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "My private note-paper."