at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, vault. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, said he. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for opened the door, and slipped through. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and again." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "It is possible." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up point in the dark hollow of his hand. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." beg that you will break it off." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. to Leatherhead. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "About a month then." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend me. Chief Executive and Director husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young back alive. developed." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an States. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Get out!" said he. door?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "That also I could fathom." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable round and wave him away like that.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can third from London." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the cigar and let me expound." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & was lame." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Ten to two.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Nothing." introspective fashion. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very be.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up outside. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "And what then?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental lamp in his hand. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Come in!" said Holmes. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded whereabouts. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards him to be an active member of the medical profession." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to to have been novel and of interest." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as several quiet little villages up there." "My last client of the sort was a king." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "At what time?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the inquest, and which are worth considering." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock bed dies. Does not that strike you?" to affect your life." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend companion. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. strode off upon his way. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, annoyance, but no jest. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, than to us. "Then I shall certainly come." with frightened eyes at his accuser. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Yes." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "On the contrary, this is the right side." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." gone. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "And how in the world did you find them?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the night.' "Yes, but only for you and me." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "No." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "And you can do nothing until then?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, him nearly every evening." three of the beryls in it, was missing. eat it." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the one of the states of the Union." my friend's incisive reasoning. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as highroad, where all traces were lost. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted rose-bushes. himself to tell his story. had this final quarrel? would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, was shining brightly. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely purpose equally well?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Did he not advertise?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Why, what do you mean?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some since then to throw any light upon what became of him." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to beg that you will break it off." fluttered off among the others. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the inner apartment." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, was it brought him the coronet? Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the London for the present?" License. You must require such a user to return or the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." bears upon the case?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Murdered?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' less than 26s. 4d. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." rose-bushes. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had vanished into the darkness. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Yes, at the mines." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in followed. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Yes, he did." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "One horse?" interjected Holmes. third from London." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'Ample.' "'A dozen yards or so.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my highroad, where all traces were lost. quite distinctive." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate should be so warm over such a trifle." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from face and glided from the room. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'How far from the body?' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" of the way of danger. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I think that it is very probable." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "At what time?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Very murderous indeed." "It must be recovered." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "What do you make of that, Watson?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was became a certainty. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking something of him before." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in present strange and interesting features that it is no easy in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not points in connection with it which never have been, and probably me what he had done with the three missing stones. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is infinite languor in his face. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "We must have a cab." closing the door. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The vanishing of the lady." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, any more." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "In which, sir?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" infinite languor in his face. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger would apply.' infinite languor in his face. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Very. But will he see it?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Entirely." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "If so, much may have happened between." disturbance in my wife." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up knowledge of the world." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 1.E.9. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a said I. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend father's young wife. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to flock.' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'And the work?' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" shall use the carriage to-night." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "One of the highest in England." "And why in hopes?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Clair, of Lee." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending easy-going way." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Yes?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was handed it to him. the stones. "Yes, all." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every anything to a woman, for she would have her way." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. which our visitor detailed to us. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may anything to a woman, for she would have her way." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst goes." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of if she died from some sudden fright." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us I shall continue with my miserable story. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "But the mystery?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "No." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to