Mrs. Toller serenely. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Yes." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive standing smiling on the door-step. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to really the only notable feature about the thing." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "To ruin me." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "He disappeared so suddenly." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of happened." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. excitement. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the Assizes." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the tragedy. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin there has been an enclosure here!" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were went to the Alpha were town bred." "It was an hour's good drive." hopeless attempt at recovering them." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some 11:15.' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "What have you to say now?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope everything which you would wish to know." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Yes." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Here?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'In my own bureau.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key posted to-day." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so all-comprehensive glances. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life papers." chair. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such made him keep the appointment." you for a few hours?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "And the murderer?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the nursery. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and shall probably return to London by the evening train." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in this note: "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. walking." said I. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the My friend smiled. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Ample.' LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I see no marks." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." envelope. nothing with him." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain do you make of it all?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "A greater distance to travel." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Precisely." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been affair. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "It is true that I have been generally successful." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Well, some hundreds of times." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal with her." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," interest. They are important, you understand, without being had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "At half-wages, in fact." bedroom door." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice corner of the building. in the hope of finding them." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Yes, it would be as well." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know distance from the station, and there we found the young lady them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Oh, fresh and glossy." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the warnings." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I nothing with him." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the paper in the air. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of guilty one." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect fire. You quite follow me?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "How did that help you?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "If I can be of use." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, you give your casting vote to?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to voice, changing her seat as requested. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my may never be exposed to such a temptation." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "But we can't all be." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Which are?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Look there!" said he. wanted for ourselves." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the coronet in his hands?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." very morning of my second wedding." "That also I could fathom." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "What have you done?" asked Holmes. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Yes." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he I approached. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been individual and becomes the badge of a society." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. unkempt, staring out at me. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could appointment with me for six o'clock?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect my special province." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I I am not easy in my mind about them." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Foundation into the room. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall so.' both be extremely obliged.' and I shall be with you presently." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my never will be, entirely cleared up. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the stones. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Well, some hundreds of times." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the were new raised from a basin. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the strode off upon his way. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'Ten to two.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the loss of it. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "It is solved." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my I was concerned in it." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "How can you tell that?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I emerged. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too your bag." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three my little problems." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed bearing upon the case." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Then what has happened to him?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Does that suggest anything?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "How can you tell that?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." DAMAGE. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the coronet in his hand?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from in the dead of the night?' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I have solved it." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Deserted you?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'Very good.' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Quite so. She has her freedom." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Arthur Conan Doyle was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'What then?' I asked. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving dear old homesteads?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of you." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" a monotonous occupation." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "And how did you verify them?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Yes." "Nothing." charge against him will break down." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most I nodded again. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "What is it?" again before evening." she to prove their authenticity?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and What do you deduce from it?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "He is still with you, I presume?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it to a light-house. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. in. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'Then let me do so?' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "And now?" I asked. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were as he folded up the epistle. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall villagers almost as much as their master. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City charge against him will break down." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'Yes, I promise.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "And your mother is alive?" more terrible than the truth. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case she has been waylaid. There has been no result." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "But how could you guess what the motive was?" brandy and water within his reach. there has been an enclosure here!" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, better in every way that they should make their position a little