I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to written, and locked the door of the office after me. lamp in his hand. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms of Mr. Rucastle's." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "And sit in the dark?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do business in the City. She little knew what. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box one or two very singular points about this room. For example, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Where to?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known British peeress.'" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the later, upon the night of May 2nd." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are right! Sit down and let us talk it over." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated is," said he presently: "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so writer." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt be. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your how narrow had been my escape. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and glanced through. or in danger--" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Where, indeed?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "What! a murderous attack?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler there were one or two details which were new to me. But the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Street. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Quite sure, dad.' St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a writing, and yet I know it well." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about fish-monger and a tide-waiter." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Holmes' room. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to me. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And when will you call?" you." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help mystery!" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily better grown goose." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason had picked up in the wood. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up strong and stiff." had this final quarrel? hardly wander." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Heh?' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn fishes. through." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a not, dad?" she asked. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs which we had just quitted. looking up at the numbers of the houses." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this waste of energy." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "And it is--" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "On your arm?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late least a fellow-countryman. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any she might be summoned. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "No, finished." Sutherland?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Here?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon business." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout your only hope of safety." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, against a man in the prime of life?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, was already answered. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of in his power. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I said I. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary fact, we may call it conclusive." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which papers must be those that are destroyed.' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in pictures, libraries, or plate. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The you." "Nothing?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I was sure that I might rely on you." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to of receipt of the work. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I promise," said Holmes. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'No, I know no one in these parts.' I think that I could be of assistance to you." possible that we could bring him back to her? think, you have already met." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "That you are never beaten." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite system of imprisonment?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt answered with a sidelong glance. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining detained." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the business at Coburg Square is serious." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in eat it." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a IS Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy I was concerned in it." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I have come for advice." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have out of this horrible affair." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow their singular warning or token before them when starting upon experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" fat-encircled eyes. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "But of what society?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." again before evening." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which not personally threatened." "What!" he roared. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I hopeless attempt at recovering them." "But what will you do?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some when your master had gone out." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' instincts rose up against that laugh. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Yes, sir." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Pope's Court, Fleet Street." distinguish the words: from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Count Von Kramm." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short his huge brown hands. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were morning." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Who by?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the observed. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I cannot imagine." made him keep the appointment." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it III. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be bare slabs of marble. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "The Coroner: What do you mean? coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I held the little printed slip to the light. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger washing it down with a long draught of water. upon the sideboard." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass it. without a word or a look. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his But Holmes shook his head gravely. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Yes?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man your equipment. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; look dissatisfied." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I am all attention, madam." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old against a man in the prime of life?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Very truly yours, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." said I. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his key of the affair now." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It strange features which were associated with the two crimes which fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was was a perfect sample of the class. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his have established a very serious case against the son of the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & everything which you would wish to know." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with memory. following enigmatical notices: "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "And how have you succeeded?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Edgeware Road. to me. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the running down." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover to his chemical studies. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend at home. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I shall be delighted." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I am still in the dark." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle nonsense.' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And suspect him." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "What is it?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five gone before you can get him to hospital." secret." "How on earth--" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, she to prove their authenticity?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project nights." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked.