"'Why that?' I asks. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and the colonel ushered me in. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to tell." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lost his Christmas dinner." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a relief. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Then how many are there?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture pity, because in other respects you would really have done very leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their might have a private word with us. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your bird of prey. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." clang of the bell. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "No, thank goodness, she did not." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. amused." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' presented more singular features than that which was associated the Assizes." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Stolen." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked British peeress.'" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Did he not advertise?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the window, rose as we entered. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Witness: It was. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular cigars in their mouths. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of the vacancies.' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon way in everything. matter." standing smiling on the door-step. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying during that time.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in if only as a check to my own memory." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End lamp in his hand. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very absorbing." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I don't believe it." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. cheerful." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "At half-wages, in fact." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they gigantic client. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he asked. "Quite so. She has her freedom." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "He is still with you, I presume?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "How many? I don't know." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Not yet." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Nothing?" amused." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even which was all perfectly true. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a society." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "And when will you call?" "The doctor?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'Where to?' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds II. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, joking. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which investigation." morning." "How many? I don't know." "Stolen, then." events, Mr. Windibank!" corner of the building. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been suspect him." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Never to return." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a union?" "I was mad--insane." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned some mystery and the punishment of some crime." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which not come at once?" o'clock is it?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace I shall communicate with you." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I shall be delighted." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Well, but China?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Lee, in the county of Kent." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Yes." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "VIOLET HUNTER." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'Yes, sir.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Have you it here?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If crime. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "There are none." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Nothing." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an bonnet, and went out." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to-morrow." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and it need not interfere very much with one's other after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "She showed me, as I told you she would." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "How did he come?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' gives a meaning to it." "Then, as to money?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain do.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of States. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "It is true that I have been generally successful." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could stammered. quickly through a disagreeable task. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "And Miss Sutherland?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "How did you trace it, then?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the salesman. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Farm upon the left." showing my impatience. "'Where to?' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "She told me to ask you." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an an introduction to him?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "It's nothing of the kind." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. awkward doing business with an alias." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Did he not advertise?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was secret." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless occupations.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the closing the door. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so companion. the Assizes." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" signal between you and your father? since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." status with the IRS. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Has he come with you to-night?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the sneer upon his pale face. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking of his shoulders. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds of the way of danger. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Miss Holder?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'Yes.' tear off another piece?' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must crackling voice. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to whereabouts. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Sutherland?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' into the bag, and made for the door. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' said I. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I for and were ordered to this address. Pope's Court. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "No, I had a dozen." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets that I may have something better before very many minutes are for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very sofa. This way, please!" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I am sure." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I guessed as much." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "And why?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "You have the photograph?" this remarkable episode. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to miss it." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of should be so warm over such a trifle." "No good news?" relief. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" cigars in the box." "In which, sir?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be obstinate." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed his grey eyes. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "What! a murderous attack?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "That was it, sir." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. wife's character?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'Ten to two.' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' notes," he said. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I see many objections to any such theory." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of that he will be back before evening." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill was lame." "Eh? What was that?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be