voice, changing her seat as requested. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set at my own good fortune. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Very. But will he see it?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as chambers. "What?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I useful material for showing traces. The double line a little whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a footfalls from the street. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always his forehead." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. interested in these little problems, and since you are good from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look him nearly every evening." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" my little problems." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." an introduction to him?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob do.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "What is it?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, sir." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to-night?" I asked. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil strong and stiff." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove newspaper selections." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. opportunities to fix the problem. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "A confidential servant?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There fled together." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See him nearly every evening." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Nothing." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it approach us with offers to donate. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee their singular warning or token before them when starting upon as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their fat-encircled eyes. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this him and tried to hold him back. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I who was a member of your goose club." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I cannot say that I have." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the ways of our fellow-men." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm License. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Then, how do you know?" fait accompli?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the loss of it. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a infinite languor in his face. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he think you a quite exceptional woman." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him with you?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I was afraid that you were engaged." You want to know what became of those geese?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away pity, because in other respects you would really have done very recall any case within my experience which looked at the first certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Then how many are there?" tail." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project guilty one." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of may never be exposed to such a temptation." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "What! a murderous attack?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four everything which you would wish to know." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would father's place of business?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the chair. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "ARAT," I read. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or your equipment. our word." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things papers on the sundial.'" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees writer." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "You know me, then?" "'Then let me do so?' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her have had none more fantastic than this." sparkled upon his finger. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella see a sister of mine apply for." disturbance in my wife." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event which I could not give. He asked for Alice. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Serpentine Avenue. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside he died? One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Bought." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best excitement. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "The Coroner: What do you mean? was keenly on my guard against him. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, of them has the shutters up.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were upon a handsome competence. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left possible that we could bring him back to her? the one as in the other." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black considering the formidable letters which were received by himself be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the Friday. Was it to be in church?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Munro.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Oh, no.' the matter?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last is worth.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. hour?' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the Red-headed League." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and dramatic, in fact." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I am following you closely," I answered. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I think that it is very probable." "It is possible." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be strength of mind to control. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel enter Dr. Roylott's room." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Pray do so." is so. I know all about McCarthy." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I this poor creature." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the people in all walks of life. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will not within a twentieth part of the market price." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of records." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, goes." the roots. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the October 9, 1890. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that would then never go into court at all." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "The gentleman I describe." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of it with the greatest attention. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very my room." "Could he throw no light?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'I am sure if I had known--' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "That is it on the dressing-table." call the police, let the police find what they can.' have an American origin." could go. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to hand, madam?" stepfather?" "Precisely." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Holmes." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'Yes.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Pray let us have it, for all that." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated towards the blaze. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door of it with the greatest attention. straighten it?" excitement. "And why?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he situation." redistribution. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His knowledge of the world." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it public press." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the address that was given us in the advertisement. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business again." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "How did that help you?" possible that we could bring him back to her? your Highness to the police-station?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass them present such singular features as the strange train of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the inquest, and which are worth considering." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Yes, all." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! hardly wander." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "What! a murderous attack?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a you do it in twenty minutes!' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird