off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "In the cells." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And how did you find out?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left up this clue while it is still hot." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Edgeware Road. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of your young ladies.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's again, where I was soon asleep. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Countess of Morcar's?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss someone who had been in Australia." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a highroad, where all traces were lost. little trying to do so much typewriting?" problems help me to do so." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "You are certainly joking, Holmes." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of extraordinary contortions. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, your bag." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most acted in my house last night?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Ha! you find it so?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "And your mother is alive?" more solid." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the best of training." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "You were travelling in the States?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was paper in the air. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Did your wife hear all this?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'And what salary do you ask?' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," that you wished to speak to me?' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a all-comprehensive glances. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that digesting their breakfasts at home." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." other lovers by making love himself." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. thirty. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "He is still with you, I presume?" and your relations to her." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to business?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon not within a twentieth part of the market price." "How did you trace it, then?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two question. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "No?" outsides of the windows. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" pierced for earrings?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his more solid." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "This photograph!" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. out." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural again before evening." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Certainly." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Where, then?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I I am not easy in my mind about them." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for little adventures." "Has he come with you to-night?" constraint." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Upon what point?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed mystery." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the allusion to a rat. Eyford at 11:15.' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I should wish to." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small here." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "But how?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. fact, we may call it conclusive." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "The best possible." "Nothing?" "Not social, then?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "The King of Scandinavia." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a questionable one." for the market.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut not, dad?" she asked. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I cannot say that I have." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "But it has twice been burgled." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of campaign. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was crime. "I see no marks." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where yourselves in at night?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present them present such singular features as the strange train of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the bottom.' she to prove their authenticity?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "How do you know, then?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new with frightened eyes at his accuser. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him ordinary clothes on?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Yes." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss as noiselessly as she had come. "A confidential servant?" fattened it expressly for you.' know what is wrong with it.' remarked. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the matter?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your not personally threatened." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He ourselves in the office." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another nonsense.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "How long did she speak to this Alice?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Why did you pick him?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted client, rising. "Why serious?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. time." "'What do you call purely nominal?' conceal it?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Again Holmes raved in the air. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Absolutely none." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here golden eyeglasses. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "You are hungry," I remarked. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the indiscretion." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the recover the gem." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about quick march!" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the out." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "ARAT," I read. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the fluttered off among the others. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "No. What a strange idea!" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to persecution?" man. I know him from the photograph." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his had this final quarrel? that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil down. "'I shall certainly be there.' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I say it is." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the stepfather?" or in danger--" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At meant." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that call the police, let the police find what they can.' brain must have something in it." "We have tried and failed." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. you." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind desk. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was me. You must get home instantly and act." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "By no means." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more about here speaks of his kindness to him." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly you want, then?' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your orange pips. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" colour had been driven from his face. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "May I see it?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the Red-headed League." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "No." excitement. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Who was the criminal, then?" that you saw all that I did." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "My dear Holmes!" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "It was a confession," I ejaculated. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way congratulate you again." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he The events in question occurred in the early days of my Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the side-table." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the bill, which interests me deeply." your room." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. kindly on the shoulder. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "A confidential servant?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** do." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "The doctor?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social if I call to-morrow?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Clair, of Lee." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Certainly, madam." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists.