morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then own family. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant indeed happy." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "No?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Eyford at 11:15.' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I will try. What is it?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her bare slabs of marble. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the long narrative. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and call you and give you the chance." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "How are you getting on?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important little trying to do so much typewriting?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the running down." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND written. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power a little more before I quite committed myself. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the these bleak autumnal evenings." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Where, then?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that weary and pale-looking. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I think that it is very probable." "No. What a strange idea!" "No sign of it?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Of what?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more ceremony." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our giving me time to thank him. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "What will you do, then?" "Did he not advertise?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you My friend smiled. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place had picked up in the wood. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they place, I think that there is good ground to think that the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my me what he had done with the three missing stones. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was coroner's jury." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "BALLARAT." "No, finished." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Yes, there are nearly always some there." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." McCarthy." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Thank you. And your address?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "None." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "But he might be a bachelor." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "He is dead," cried several voices. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on passage and a tap at the door. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" wedding?" "Yes." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. round and wave him away like that.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from of this gang." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to have not had my rubber." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Heh?' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "It looks newer than the other things?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Could he throw no light?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich obstinate." one of the states of the Union." "In heaven's name, what for?" that learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been detective. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a over here." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his in. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came shaken than I had ever seen him. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. me. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to presented more singular features than that which was associated sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt shaken than I had ever seen him. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a make me his representative both with the servants and with the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "My Mary? Impossible!" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "In the cells." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "If I can be of use." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Yes." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "9th. McCauley cleared. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "To an end?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that better grown goose." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I assure you that I am in your hands." Heh?' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "But who is he?" What do you deduce from it?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that client, rising. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your and capable of preserving a secret.' there." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he four million human beings all jostling each other within the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman system of imprisonment?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a seen the man in the road." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Yes." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper questioning and rather startled gaze. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Yes, from Horsham." stalked out of the room. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." room. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only kind enough to tell me what I should do." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "How do you know, then?" acted in my house last night?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "What can you not understand?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to vault. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts might have a private word with us. allusion to a rat. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "No." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. tension within him. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, at a side door. mystery may be cleared along those lines." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless me. You must get home instantly and act." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for gigantic client. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "And when will you call?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been look dissatisfied." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to I am not easy in my mind about them." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "An accident, I presume?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to became a certainty. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "He might." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, License. You must require such a user to return or "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "But of what society?" morning." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "It is his hat." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I was sure that I might rely on you." papers on the sundial.'" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I don't believe it." remarked. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have what is your own theory as to what took place?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the province." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal ordinary clothes on?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from jewels which you have stolen?' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It is a murder, then?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know together. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Not him." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either sit on the left-hand side of the driver." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of said he. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the coronet in his hand?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as to-night?" I asked. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. indiscretion." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the which are rolled in Rotterdam." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I cannot tell." Holmes. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for charge against him will break down." other lovers by making love himself." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would derbies." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Where is it, then?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "What then?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, you, my dear young lady?' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the train.' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it joking. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It voice. or other trace. But how on earth--" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this occupations.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which our visitor detailed to us. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce know all about it," he snarled. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP