"The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right which was all perfectly true. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "What I expected to see." "Murdered?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your union?" "The Cedars?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a that?' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the loss of it. of his shoulders. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and think you a quite exceptional woman." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do unclasping of his long thin hands. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. said he. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and which our visitor detailed to us. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. like gravel from a pit.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard during that time.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But his left-handedness." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me certainly do as you advise." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "And sit in the dark?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never which should have the effect of calling the attention of the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." been able to understand it, in a very few words. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple narrative." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to-night's adventure." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in night.' said he. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "It looks newer than the other things?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "None." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "That's no good." me have 200 pounds?' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the bottom.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking ago." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat companion. hand, madam?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was had picked up in the wood. "No." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "But how?" waste of energy." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Why did you pick him?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful II. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could lost nothing by them." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were ways of our fellow-men." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you crackling voice. come either from the window or the door. My attention was lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his of campaign. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" in my life." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "And how did you find out?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 head. So long, then!" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. business in the City. She little knew what. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with long narrative. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me believe that I should never have any practice at all. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those light and attacked it." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of have not had my rubber." "Well, some hundreds of times." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "The Coroner: What do you mean? would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "How about poison?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by in this way: "Yes." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was The note was undated, and without either signature or address. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross sound at heart." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" gone. you." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Then what has happened to him?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" will take you up to see the machine.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. approach us with offers to donate. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in trying to your nerves." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Why? What do you mean?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Thank you. Pray proceed." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other him to go away.' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I nodded to show that I had heard. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four meant." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "It was." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. four million human beings all jostling each other within the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Then the page we have seen--" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "You were travelling in the States?" "It is very kind of you." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "And you don't know his address?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly I leave." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to tell." do.' "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a DAMAGE. the night.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the corner of the building. "No." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' flock.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "What?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, The events in question occurred in the early days of my at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Yes, only one." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged and inquire as to the address." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a late!' some water from a caraffe. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any past. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Will you go?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so obstinate." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I don't believe it." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in became a certainty. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason affection." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "You'll never persuade me to believe that." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "He is dead," cried several voices. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into over with notes and figures. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought conclusions. "Well, but China?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to forecastle of an emigrant ship. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the devil!" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just I was concerned in it." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Did you become engaged then?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "To an end?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible paper in the air. the stable lane now." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with foot. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "That's no good." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut opportunities to fix the problem. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. colonel looking down at me. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it province." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." your troubles." "My stepfather's business papers." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of is so. I know all about McCarthy." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It you?' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his that I can to serve you." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker true." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Certainly." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave towards the blaze. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your discontent upon his features. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. legal crime." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the you in yours." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it have accepted such a situation. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it may never be exposed to such a temptation." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "How on earth--" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I promise," said Holmes. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "The gentleman I describe." I shall continue with my miserable story. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence it were putty." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so himself in a perplexing position. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think in your London, you will know that the office of the company is him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Yes, all." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "What! Had he lost his wife?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on fear." pressing in one house as in another. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, light and attacked it." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Did he not advertise?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. yourselves in at night?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate national property. I was determined that the law should have its Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the he bowed and left the room without another word. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "That is unusual in a young girl." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, something of him before." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick allusion to a rat. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his in a very precise fashion." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the