glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have four million human beings all jostling each other within the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it His smile broadened. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Here?" was a perfect sample of the class. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of during which he might have communicated with his friend the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the you." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box bird I ate is country bred." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Very. But will he see it?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the It may be so in this case, also." "No, finished." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "But how will you look?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are fat-encircled eyes. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Look there!" said he. papers on the sundial.'" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they introspective fashion. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull remarked. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with you for a few hours?" chill to my heart. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, morning." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Yes." "Was he the only applicant?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his wanted for ourselves." "10th. John Swain cleared. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party chance at all." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "No, but the enclosure is." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the coronet in his hand?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my yet." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove started for the Temple to see my husband. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, fashion which was peculiar to him. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Then what has happened to him?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son round and wave him away like that.' this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. always that they were such commands as a lady might with "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, tell me that you intended to go into harness." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, crime. again." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general had a long day." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove before the coroner and the police-court." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to bird of prey. away into the river." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "And how have you succeeded?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Precisely." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double writer." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as matters immensely." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and seen the man in the road." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "But she could not love him." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her meanly of me." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Arthur Conan Doyle his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I was mad--insane." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the death." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I don't believe it." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a she to prove their authenticity?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the roots. it." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "What! a murderous attack?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. too. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Then you may entirely rely on me." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a tear off another piece?' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This chance." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of shaken than I had ever seen him. written. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "You were travelling in the States?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. this man was intellectual?" "Your presence might be invaluable." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Heh?' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an heavily into it. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "At what time?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would invisible to me," I remarked. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Oh, yes, easily." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the 'please.'" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed place of silver." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I footfalls from the street. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "No, thank goodness, she did not." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." corner of the building. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in such person." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved careless servant girl?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this do you make of it all?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Certainly." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "When did it break out?" "Come in!" said he. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very begin with, and I had not got mine yet." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow tied." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I cannot imagine." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very some city in a dream. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are side. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Bought." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began in a friendly supper." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as companion imperturbably. "That was it, sir." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable I took the paper from him and read as follows: she used." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Ha! you find it so?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. allusion to a rat. "One?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Ten to two.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "A call for help, you thought?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from think you a quite exceptional woman." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the what these perils are?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Entirely." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the bottom.' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "To ruin me." furiously. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as murdered man." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "It is his hat." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to-night's adventure." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Quite so. She has her freedom." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town footfalls from the street. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do locked." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His as noiselessly as she had come. again, where I was soon asleep. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "What, then?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to foot. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" then?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." father's place of business?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She fishes. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the good-night and bustled off upon her way. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she it." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'There is a drive, then?' good-night and bustled off upon her way. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Have you good authority for what you say?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter