ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the Assizes." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "What will you say?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter name is different." money should be paid at once.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Nor running a chance of arrest?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And Miss Sutherland?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who death." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is as noiselessly as she had come. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes answer." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so hurried by. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this made him keep the appointment." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "He disappeared so suddenly." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Farm upon the left." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You'll never persuade me to believe that." other means.' standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "What then?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to thin legs towards the fire. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We lamp in his hand. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Was the window open?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "It surprised me." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and wife's character?" Again Holmes raved in the air. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be to some other building. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I a room. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Yes, from Horsham." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and death." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'How far from the body?' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! learned something! Where are the gems?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I do." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "No, I think that I'll take it." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the his knees, staring into the fire. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'You cannot say what it was?' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Can I be of assistance?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my like gravel from a pit.' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are you." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right ways of our fellow-men." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Who by?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for shall not find me ungrateful." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is this unhappy family?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk point in the dark hollow of his hand. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger status with the IRS. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "The rest you will leave in our hands." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am have established a very serious case against the son of the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Well, but China?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Of what?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. away to you." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked himself. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as presume?" works. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we developed." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of against a man in the prime of life?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty learned something! Where are the gems?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "By no means." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Then how many are there?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out husband's writing, madam." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "So it appears." assist you in forming an opinion." the south-west, I see." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were case-book, which he consulted. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back tail." "My dear Holmes!" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "He said too much." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I am to be neutral?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since forehead. later, upon the night of May 2nd." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Who was the criminal, then?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, see me here to avoid scandal." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting morning." had formerly been in part my own. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary became a certainty. depend upon your compliance." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by point our research must commence, and we will begin it by quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the passage and a tap at the door. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of rat could hardly pass through." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Ha! you find it so?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "You have a clue?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a fluttered off among the others. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "What! Had he lost his wife?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' it." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "One horse?" interjected Holmes. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "But what will you do?" "What are they?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "What of the rat, then?" "But what will you do?" Mary, has deserted me." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the in his power. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at means taking possession of that which another person has a prior again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue voice. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came charge against him will break down." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned morning." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'About the same.' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant sparkled upon his finger. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several shall use the carriage to-night." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "A call for help, you thought?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of wedding?" cup of tea. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Yes." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "They are typewritten," I remarked. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar papers." British peeress.'" "Yes, certainly." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was strength in the others." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'About the same.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of the one which your family is now devouring." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "How did you trace it, then?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his right! Sit down and let us talk it over." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of excitement. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and promised to bring home. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the name is different." already referred to. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his that?' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never only touch the interest." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled happened." showing my impatience. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and written, and locked the door of the office after me. bled considerably." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." his grey eyes. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these meanly of me." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the correct than the official force." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the me. You must get home instantly and act." fasten all the windows?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and a shock of very red hair. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "You saw the ventilator, too?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I am to be neutral?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this been able to understand it, in a very few words. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, awaited us upon the table. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Always." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Awake, Watson?" he asked. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "How did that help you?" "Yes." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you call for protection in the marriage market, for the present bearing upon the case." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to your room." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the