prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of absorbing." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I cannot say that I have." are, and they are waiting for us." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single words came to my lips. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept I nodded again. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is delirious. through." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the very morning of the wedding." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "How often?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one go back?" said he at last. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in confronted him. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." to tackle the facts." will take you up to see the machine.' door?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very The telegram which we eventually received came late one night search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black lamp in his hand. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "It certainly sounds feasible." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." woven round him. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day was once confined in the cab my mission was practically society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "And is that all?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to gigantic client. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "It certainly sounds feasible." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint peculiar to him. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "At half-wages, in fact." him." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Eh? What was that?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from coat-tails." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with in. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "By all means." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, suddenly upon us." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the coronet in his hand?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Where does the thing come from?' to change my dress. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that mystery may be cleared along those lines." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" been." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "She showed me, as I told you she would." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear copied or distributed: country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND might have a private word with us. that there was nothing in it, after all." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not window when the police appeared." delirious. and that he would see to anything that turned up. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my lamp in his hand. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Ten will be early enough." yet." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend allusion to a rat. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Game for a morning drive?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Miss Holder?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Well." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "By no means." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Upon what point?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit good-night and bustled off upon her way. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would all?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was think, you have already met." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Not in the least." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and might have a private word with us. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are McCarthy's innocence. asked. "What! You do not mean bodies?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused plantation.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'Why that?' I asks. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "And how did you find out?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson flock.' fire. You quite follow me?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, look upon these things in a different way." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and gives a meaning to it." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Yes." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter conduct the inquiry." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue past. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and capable of preserving a secret.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the bare slabs of marble. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And why?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which I nodded to show that I had heard. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "And you don't know his address?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "And for present expenses?" face and glided from the room. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" never will be, entirely cleared up. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush affair. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a must be when I saw the door open.' "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of them has the shutters up.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to tell." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "At half-wages, in fact." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Miss Holder?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was past. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. power." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bled considerably." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." be sorry for having acted so harshly." seem to you to be relevant or not." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the ceiling. presented more singular features than that which was associated though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. them present such singular features as the strange train of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Never." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend chambers. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Which are?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all foot. "Then I can wait in the next room." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign his face. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the own family. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the so-precious time, but come!' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." distinguish the words: right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well spark where all is dark to me." "Really! You surprise me." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I see no marks." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "What of the rat, then?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance pressing in one house as in another. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few opened the door, and slipped through. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." tell them apart.' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence occurred." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I shall use the carriage to-night." "It is possible." to have that photograph." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. not come at once?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn bonnet, and went out." any more." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch do." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "How about poison?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other upon the shelf for the interim." that?' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his how narrow had been my escape. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady happened." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying must compliment you." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Stolen." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows have been better. It is all right." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," wife's character?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing