We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I will try. What is it?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Upon what point?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project money should be paid at once.' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Then, how do you know?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us directors have had misgivings upon the subject." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I am to be neutral?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. for and were ordered to this address. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Yes. He waved his hands." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat in the port of London." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will photograph a cabinet?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Nothing." chill to my heart. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately she to prove their authenticity?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes so far?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention would then never go into court at all." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." 1.E.9. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, definite end. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of campaign. again, where I was soon asleep. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the strength." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of writers could invent nothing more crude." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that outside. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I during that time.' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that answered with a sidelong glance. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" any little problem which you may submit to me." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' passage and a tap at the door. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'About the same.' last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "That you are never beaten." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming infinite languor in his face. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "You will not go there first?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily James Windibank. Voilà tout!" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." carried out of court." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." time." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I was sure that I might rely on you." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and effective." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the have not had my rubber." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I will do it." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards you found me to-night--and running through the front room she chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Certainly not. But why?' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Then you may be so with me." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'Yes, sir.' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his constraint." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND lids now and glanced across at his visitor. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "And I." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "It is a murder, then?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "And on what day did he meet his death?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Serpentine Avenue. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no papers on the sundial.'" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Upon what point?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the indeed which he could not unravel. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the status with the IRS. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the one as in the other." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "No." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out was used.' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Yes, only one." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "What then?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "You heard nothing yourself last night?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your some water from a caraffe. breakfast?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord new acquaintance to Baker Street. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project is acting for the best. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the stones. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "On your arm?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and mystery may be cleared along those lines." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the coroner come to?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the ceiling. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and all of them with the keenest interest. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, What do you deduce from it?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" I took the paper from him and read as follows: logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were compunction about shooting them down." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. lectures into a series of tales." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it character. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my place no limit on the sum I may draw." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the general public were present, then?" nice household for a young lady." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect photograph?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," himself to tell his story. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington begun to whiten, even as mine has." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "But the mystery?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate rose-bushes. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The that he will be back before evening." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I will not look." who was a member of your goose club." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Munro.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The read it out to me." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the read it out to me." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong ago." held up the lantern and gazed about him. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Again Holmes raved in the air. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss me, and I could not think that his explanation of the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some at once, for I have only half an hour." was feeling which was the fattest.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Witness: Nothing definite. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It came here." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. happened." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, room had already been engaged for us. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Nothing." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Watson," he said cordially. the nursery. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" little adventures." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." existence." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just upon the white wrist. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'And the work?' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I fear not." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, London for the present?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I came to find a friend." face and glided from the room. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' depend upon my doing so.' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Chief Executive and Director came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Certainly." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Certainly." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl shoulder. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the fasten all the windows?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face plantation.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is late!' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. my room." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more God! What an exposure! What can I do?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence held up the lantern and gazed about him. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and