that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'Quite sure, dad.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" into the room. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "What can you not understand?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud corner of the building. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I say that I have solved it." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." maid will bring up your coffee." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of receipt of the work. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the station." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "But she will refuse." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, gone before you can get him to hospital." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But to whom?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You minor matters until to-morrow." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events hands. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with points to suicide?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in strode off upon his way. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "We must have a cab." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of he. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold never to learn it at all." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the again on its way. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away himself in a perplexing position. "Why serious?" shall not find me ungrateful." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "How are you getting on?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was this Miss Turner." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at ways of our fellow-men." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and a shock of very red hair. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "He might." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has see me here to avoid scandal." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at lamp in his hand. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the them, and came down just as you departed. "'I am sure that I do not know.' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he points to suicide?" been with you?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "But we can't all be." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Ah!" coroner's jury." "But what will you do?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from colour had been driven from his face. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Here?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "His face fell immediately. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. lips." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets fuss that is made over them." "Ha! you find it so?" "By no means." father's young wife. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I heavy and sharp instrument." was keenly on my guard against him. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and chamber." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and secret." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not place of silver." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Yes." writing, and yet I know it well." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Where did he live, then?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an ready to-morrow?' "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to hopeless attempt at recovering them." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the that?' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "And you can do nothing until then?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. side. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & bare slabs of marble. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I cannot say that I have." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the she used." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" already been minutely examined." at once, for I have only half an hour." directors, with the result that you have seen." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets License. You must require such a user to return or in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to long narrative. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. this as likely?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Dark enough and sinister enough." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Your French gold?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the night.' do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we allusion to a rat. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy himself to hunt down. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "It certainly sounds feasible." have not had my rubber." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he digesting their breakfasts at home." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'And what are they worth?' I asked. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he lips." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that chance." Mrs. Toller serenely. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the disappearance of these gems?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside papers on the sundial.'" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, voice, changing her seat as requested. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Yes, it would be as well." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. business matters.' "'And what salary do you ask?' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the call for it in person on Monday morning.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "You have the photograph?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been of the way of danger. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of meanly of me." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly you give your casting vote to?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "What can you not understand?" "Well, some hundreds of times." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I am armed." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity present." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the my secret was safe in his possession. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the Assizes." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "But how?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst goes." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I know where it is." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "What, then?" in him." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Where to?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which detained." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in indeed happy." even of instruction." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting becomes even more simple." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ago." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I think that I could be of assistance to you." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that matter over." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be invisible to me," I remarked. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they allusion to a rat. chance." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "What!" he roared. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one troubles have been weighing upon his mind. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, she might be summoned. "He disappeared so suddenly." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the side-table." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it likely to be some crony of the landlady's." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Of what?" IS I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Yes, sir." "Murdered?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Certainly." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "But he might be a bachelor." carpenter." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'I shall certainly be there.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "This photograph!" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered outside." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I would pay ten." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you