of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "What of the rat, then?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just call the police, let the police find what they can.' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "No, finished." shoulder. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Certainly,' I answered. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter that you can jump it.' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Really! You surprise me." confronted him. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very if I call to-morrow?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin promised to bring home. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Yes, that is the Crown." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Come in!" said he. the child." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here it. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I cannot think." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the King without delay." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'Certainly not.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day that there was nothing in it, after all." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as sound at heart." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would records." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle and the church but not where the lady lived." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I so far?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Pray do so." "No." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and developed." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place pierced for earrings?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. power." burst out into a roar of laughter. "Do you go out much in society?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which meant it for the best. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the bed, and you in that chair." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy upon the white wrist. "Really! You surprise me." shall use the carriage to-night." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will with you?" "Get out!" said he. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager back into the street. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece or in danger--" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end promised to bring home. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was asked. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson to some other building. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this to tackle the facts." "'I am sure that I do not know.' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. galvanised. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his neither fascinating nor artistic." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the Red-headed League." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was within hail.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of followed. was not a bird to be seen there. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to Leatherhead. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Certainly, madam." "It certainly sounds feasible." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "At what time?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you said I. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." goes." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "What I expected to see." are, and they are waiting for us." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to recover the gem." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are this remarkable episode. which are rolled in Rotterdam." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and it need not interfere very much with one's other morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "You have but to name it." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I should wish to." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and are windows in it, of course?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were The events in question occurred in the early days of my beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's charged with?" Holmes." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but least a most suspicious remark." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "But what harm can there be in that?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Yes, sir." lectures into a series of tales." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and arrested. You then--" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "In heaven's name, what for?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that point in the dark hollow of his hand. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "That you are never beaten." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "But of what society?" chambers. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. observed. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. felt the room to be a little close.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the night.' said he. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, guilty one." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Pray tell us what has happened to you." looking up at the numbers of the houses." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Holmes' thin, eager face. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its night.' said he. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Where to?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of minor matters until to-morrow." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for like that before?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "And I." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here in this way: drawing your inferences." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the his face. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant points to suicide?" "I do." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Then the page we have seen--" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage have an American origin." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since of the one which your family is now devouring." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "You have carte blanche." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I asked. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "The gentleman I describe." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, I took the paper from him and read as follows: course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter some water from a caraffe. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more use an arc-and-compass breastpin." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he McCarthy's innocence. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' hopeless attempt at recovering them." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Never,' said I. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "How did he come?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "A greater distance to travel." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Bought." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "At the wedding breakfast." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "There are none." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." should be taken.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. character. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the any more." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "A client, then?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Imitated." business at Coburg Square is serious." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'I have already given you my word.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Pray continue your narrative." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a your sleep?' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it you want, then?' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already there is a decided draught." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Pray be precise as to details," said he. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because matter over." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away absorbing." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "That is possible." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Ample.' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her lumber-room." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Then how many are there?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I should wish to." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you narrative." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "But how?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." is four-and-twenty." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Nearly eleven." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "He might." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I beg pardon." "'Oh, no.' showing my impatience. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had copied or distributed: Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe society." comes from the middle window." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the some water from a caraffe. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," lips." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Countess of Morcar's?" "Well, but China?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his compunction about shooting them down." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "And how?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "It was." "How did that help you?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can showing my impatience. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Who by?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, you give your casting vote to?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Your presence might be invaluable." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." before, for it was considerably after midnight. companion. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce