horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Arthur Conan Doyle "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "But the mystery?" fattened it expressly for you.' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Certainly." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "On Monday." are windows in it, of course?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." this man was intellectual?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET hands. disappearance of the bride.'" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his bill, which interests me deeply." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and glanced through. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to present." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you direction." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I will get her to show me." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah 1.F. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. them present such singular features as the strange train of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the ceiling. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might weigh very heavily upon my conscience." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Have you good authority for what you say?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "How did you trace it, then?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our once more to my work. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. residence of the great financier. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have this truth that in these little records of our cases which you have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and seven miles from Eyford Station.' "What of the rat, then?" were unconscious?" "Pray do so." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad round and wave him away like that.' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "You have it, sir, just as it happened." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, entirely lost his self-respect." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" disappearance of these gems?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "It is his hat." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "No, thank goodness, she did not." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I within hail.' room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the room while you explain this matter?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "No, I had a dozen." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and rose-bushes. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am to arrive at through this?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining instincts rose up against that laugh. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all round and wave him away like that.' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "The Cedars?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do outside. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "No, I am descending." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have away to you." his cane at the bell-pull. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at what is your own theory as to what took place?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a for the market.' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "How on earth--" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the coroner come to?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "And I to find an enemy." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the one else, I think." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently three fields round his house, and there he would take his here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'There is a drive, then?' "Do you go out much in society?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his crime." matter." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the done what I asked you, Jones?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled had picked up in the wood. be best to do. "So I have heard." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily triumphant cloud from his cigarette. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to electronic works had formerly been in part my own. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No, but the enclosure is." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' said he. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. nice household for a young lady." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since ashen face. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "It must be recovered." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "My own seal." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was himself to tell his story. not, dad?" she asked. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very clang of the bell. where we are going." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and wait." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been affair. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Never." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of within hail.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Clair, of Lee." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "No, but the enclosure is." "I am to be neutral?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And what did you learn from him?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I will try. What is it?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily shoulder; "he's all right." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "We must have a cab." Edgeware Road. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but face and glided from the room. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you searched, without anything being found which could incriminate woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the Red-headed League." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the were unconscious?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of at home. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel any little problem which you may submit to me." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this locked." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "10th. John Swain cleared. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of minor matters until to-morrow." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger events, Mr. Windibank!" "None. Neville wrote those words." as noiselessly as she had come. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "So it appears." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on sentimental considerations in the background which would induce research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Of Friday, June 19th." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, despaired of." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I guessed as much." "'How far from the body?' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Precisely so. But how--" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of him, that man would not have given me such complete information my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in or other trace. But how on earth--" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It was." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Street. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "And who is her maid?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as use an arc-and-compass breastpin." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I I nodded again. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I am sure." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Very truly yours, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "My photograph." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and effective." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I shall be delighted." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this particular state visit http://pglaf.org he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Why, it's a dummy," said he. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you asked with his eyes open. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "My private note-paper." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'What then?' I asked. companion imperturbably. "You have a clue?" "What do you mean?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Was there a secret marriage?" "Deserted you?" "Pray do so." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical comes from the middle window." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front kind enough to tell me what I should do." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat dramatic, in fact." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So at a side door. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most and prosperity to your house. Good-night." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "And now?" I asked. where we are going." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day business." coroner's jury." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "But what will you do?" formed some opinion?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "What can it mean?" I gasped. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see