while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'What then?' I asked. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a straighten it?" the stable lane now." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to spark where all is dark to me." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give think that he is innocent?" companion. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Then what has happened to him?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "How did that help you?" "'Yes.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." DAMAGE. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "And I to find an enemy." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That unclasping of his long thin hands. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local crowd. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "But the mystery?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "In what way?" asked Holmes. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." time." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "You have the photograph?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "No good news?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Holmes. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "How are you getting on?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some note?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Could he throw no light?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked said he. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is only touch the interest." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you window when the police appeared." "That is easily got." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat weigh very heavily upon my conscience." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "The gentleman I describe." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and effective." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. do.' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I cannot say that I have." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, fishes. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one that he will be back before evening." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "And how?" learned something! Where are the gems?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived tail." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is with frightened eyes at his accuser. room had already been engaged for us. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, a monotonous occupation." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of The summons was a brief and urgent one. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now guilty one." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "What is it?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down during which he might have communicated with his friend the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This weapon." mysterious business." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" official police." shoulder. details." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on been with you?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Yes." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from thin legs towards the fire. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and no precautions can guard against." your most interesting statement." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "None." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout never to learn it at all." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it is entirely a question of barometric pressure." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning skylight. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "What! a murderous attack?" "But you have hopes?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "What!" he roared. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Chief Executive and Director "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "But not more so than I to find you." your billet.' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. as the one I chose?' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the inner apartment." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I yet." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "But the mystery?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I will try. What is it?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'Is 4 pounds a week.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "That you are never beaten." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I was mad--insane." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the putting in the horse. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "So I am. Very much so." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "An enemy?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of point our research must commence, and we will begin it by heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my little adventures." your equipment. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and have this put in the evening papers." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Yes, sir.' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You know me, then?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much should be so warm over such a trifle." man. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his face. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may back to my heart. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "What can it mean?" I gasped. national property. I was determined that the law should have its the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements she slowly sank and died without having recovered her gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after means taking possession of that which another person has a prior traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Never to return." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. him!" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "That was it, sir." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part disappearance of the bride.'" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "You have but to name it." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. was shining brightly. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" his grey eyes. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some side. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Arthur Conan Doyle "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? will not take me long to tell. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's tell them apart.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for his knees, staring into the fire. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "What do you make of that, Watson?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "You saw the ventilator, too?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a corner of the building. hard-headed British jury." roused himself from his reverie. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Game for a morning drive?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "BALLARAT." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, envelope. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the driver. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "What steps will you take?" I asked. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Where, then, is my wife?" strode off upon his way. populous neighbourhood." confronted him. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Frequently." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "How did you trace it, then?" "What?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And your mother is alive?" "What!" he roared. enough to aid us in our search." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the house with me." "There are none." "Yes." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "That you are never beaten." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is or in danger--" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's McCarthy." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "He disappeared so suddenly." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the electronic works