Street. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters all?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far which our visitor detailed to us. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "So I am. Very much so." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, never will be, entirely cleared up. "No?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the matter?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I him nearly every evening." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "But the mystery?" legal crime." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Quite so. She has her freedom." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Absolutely?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "You don't mind breaking the law?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which retorted upon me, and I on you." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen place of silver." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his lamp. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This indeed happy." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous writers could invent nothing more crude." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, for securing the situation." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and is a common subject for conversation. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their views." for the market.' through." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found asked. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' place no limit on the sum I may draw." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "To an English lawyer named Norton." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who do.' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, skylight. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very shadow pass over his face as I spoke. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a cigars in their mouths. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'There is a drive, then?' "Not social, then?" crime." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it acted in my house last night?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Holmes rather sternly. "Upon what point?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; spark where all is dark to me." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of with her." "And how did you verify them?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. quickly through a disagreeable task. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Pray continue your narrative." "Yes, only one." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Miss Holder?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many cost them two and thirty pounds." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the south-west, I see." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who posted to-day." "Which are?" His smile broadened. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself a suggestive one." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no was used.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and orange pips. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "He said that you could solve anything." "And that is--" something of him before." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is gone. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the union?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home through." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little that he will be back before evening." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "How often?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes, he did." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of sake, don't!" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew said Mr. Holder. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular this as likely?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no annoyance, but no jest. man. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain face and glided from the room. crime. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet for its centre. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his copied or distributed: I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Look there!" said he. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Stolen." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Then, how do you know?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "What then?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "But I have heard all that you have heard." better in every way that they should make their position a little again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the skylight. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained had formerly been in part my own. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has this as likely?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a upon the shelf for the interim." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both fattened it expressly for you.' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and prosperity to your house. Good-night." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to up this clue while it is still hot." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'You cannot say what it was?' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in late." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." all that?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil if only as a check to my own memory." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the Assizes." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an chance." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Were they all fastened this morning?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger arrested. You then--" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Look there!" said he. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "A greater distance to travel." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack arrested. You then--" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "You have the photograph?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the nursery. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Certainly." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon whole matter to your consideration." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really outside." dramatic, in fact." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's to you." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Have you it here?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. attention." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step without a word or a look. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him business in the City. She little knew what. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in following enigmatical notices: Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew me. You must get home instantly and act." south, for the country is more deserted there." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason 'please.'" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall corner of the building. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything companion. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Certainly." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I guilty one." have got?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were as yours." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' emerged. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible despaired of." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a his cane at the bell-pull. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all society." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo even of instruction." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the roots. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was within hail.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You have it, sir, just as it happened." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after is now desirous of getting those letters back." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I assure you that I am in your hands." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face,