pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I crime. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Yes, that is the Crown." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Get out!" said he. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the from the brougham. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "It is solved." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "What then?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning bonnet, and went out." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we cheerful." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or such attractions and accomplishments?' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of Fenchurch Street." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'Then let me do so?' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Certainly." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face certainly do as you advise." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof noble correspondent could be. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire deduce something from that?" "Certainly." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I fear not." "No bad?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire cause to be." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to late." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." easy-going way." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable business at Coburg Square is serious." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Very murderous indeed." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one him." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself all-comprehensive glances. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Yes." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Thank you. Pray proceed." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great national property. I was determined that the law should have its gbnewby@pglaf.org where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You case-book, which he consulted. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "My opinion is in no way altered." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, your own bird, so if you wish--" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Then let me do so?' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after murdered man." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "On Monday." lumber-room." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The wedding?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "The King of Scandinavia." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Very much so." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same his fortune, and I went back to pa. back into the street. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the prisoner's face. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that retorted upon me, and I on you." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "My own seal." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Witness: I must still refuse. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, carried out of court." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Oh, no.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Yes." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some which I could not give. He asked for Alice. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend thin, with a long, sharp nose?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and the church but not where the lady lived." "But you can know nothing of this?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This some city in a dream. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Her father is very rich?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Dirty?" correct than the official force." stammered. "But you have hopes?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover to a more successful conclusion." to change my dress. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the salesman. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that breakfast." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so there has been an enclosure here!" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather himself to tell his story. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his there has been an enclosure here!" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "No, I am descending." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to October 9, 1890. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A geese which you supplied to the Alpha." closely." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether *** START: FULL LICENSE *** though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, introspective fashion. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. row." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and occupations.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, husband's writing, madam." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the coat-tails." congenial hunt. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in tied." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the note?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "You are all wrong." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was into the room. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon his huge brown hands. "My stepfather's business papers." past. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect three of the beryls in it, was missing. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what main points of my analysis." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce lost his Christmas dinner." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I guessed as much." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time gone before you can get him to hospital." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and hour?' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must eat it." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Holmes. Foundation in his hands." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And the murderer?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the His smile broadened. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Cross for the Continent." "At half-wages, in fact." tapping his fingers upon the table. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows remarked. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and miles off. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I are, and they are waiting for us." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "No, finished." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe stammered. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me arms and began to sob in a high treble key. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Yes, only one." writers could invent nothing more crude." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear brain must have something in it." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "None." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And it is--" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Nothing." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Edgeware Road. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "No bad?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "That is easily got." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" awaited us upon the table. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all it." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I guessed as much." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "On Monday." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in hour?' round and wave him away like that.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "That's no good." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Thank you. And your address?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I held the little printed slip to the light. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "That also I could fathom." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, second." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that entirely lost his self-respect." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, cheerful." dates and names. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I cannot tell." quickly through a disagreeable task. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to approach us with offers to donate. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have his forehead." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I secret." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "But of what society?" see me here to avoid scandal." conduct the inquiry." whole matter to your consideration." went to the Alpha were town bred." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they hopeless attempt at recovering them." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "If so, much may have happened between." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of