"Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence wedding?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Really! You surprise me." that I can to serve you." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather again, where I was soon asleep. "Your presence might be invaluable." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not side. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Will you go?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and During two years I have had three consultations and one small Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "You have it, sir, just as it happened." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are should be taken.' "I have come for advice." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered fat-encircled eyes. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage nonsense.' eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, not come at once?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'Most admirably.' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle easy-going way." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were promised to bring home. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over whereabouts. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Really! You surprise me." them, and came down just as you departed. interested in these little problems, and since you are good license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them tell them apart.' "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Lee, in the county of Kent." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "On your arm?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "My dear Holmes!" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and that threaten you." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I colour had been driven from his face. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his she slowly sank and died without having recovered her gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND thought that she would have been so carried away." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Where, indeed?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the morning and make my own way in the world.' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "What do you make of that, Watson?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to held up the lantern and gazed about him. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "The knees of his trousers." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks figure." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at fashion which was peculiar to him. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Come in!" said Holmes. companion quietly. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." an introduction to him?" "Then I can wait in the next room." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" residence of the great financier. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah rat could hardly pass through." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would DAMAGE. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I should wish to." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was these bleak autumnal evenings." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to change my dress. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by clang of the bell. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" tear off another piece?' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told made his money." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which in the dead of the night?' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive sound at heart." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Only as much as we can deduce." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Leadenhall Street--and--" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to-night?' "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, assist you in forming an opinion." to some other building. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a You want to know what became of those geese?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked lips." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, your own bird, so if you wish--" you?' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Game for a morning drive?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' at a side door. cheerful." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the I think that I could be of assistance to you." "How can you tell that?" good for you to do.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "And Irene Adler?" colonel looking down at me. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so spark where all is dark to me." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "So I have heard." "Then what has happened to him?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "And how did you verify them?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, it." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open upon the sideboard." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings fishes. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "You have the photograph?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely chance." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Stoke Moran." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" But Holmes shook his head gravely. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here once more to my work. roused himself from his reverie. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Arthur Conan Doyle is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hands. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." tell them apart.' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Sholtos." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that once more to my work. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons must be when I saw the door open.' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in prison!" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' of Mr. Rucastle's." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "A client, then?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "So I am. Very much so." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "One?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out weapon." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business gives a meaning to it." outbreak?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It is very kind of you." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Yes, but only for you and me." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but do." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, three of the beryls in it, was missing. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but appeared upon the scene." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Chief Executive and Director the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in burst out into a roar of laughter. fear." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you emerged. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Very truly yours, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Yes, he did." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Won't it ring?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning official police." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction fatally injured? glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "You will not go there first?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty been deceived." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for shall use the carriage to-night." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to asked. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able retorted upon me, and I on you." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we conceal it?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Sutherland. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." any." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "No, finished." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed