"There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less ourselves in the office." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age had no one to advise her at such a crisis." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something foresight and the moral retrogression?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "He said too much." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. His name is Francis Prosper." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I stalked out of the room. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need guilty one." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his are, and they are waiting for us." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "When did she vanish, then?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Ten will be early enough." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of flock.' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Yes, but only for you and me." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight criminal. We have already had experience of such." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of than to us. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been DISSOLVED. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to spark where all is dark to me." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it now. It seems that there had been some informality about their envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the questionable one." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I guessed as much." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Precisely." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Eyford at 11:15.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing thought that she would have been so carried away." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who considering the formidable letters which were received by himself far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must eat it." "And from a noble client?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, answer." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Dirty?" "You will not go there first?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I cannot imagine." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Come in!" said he. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of tail." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. confronted him. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at was not a bird to be seen there. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the woman." carriage. It was a chestnut." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. retorted upon me, and I on you." "On the contrary, this is the right side." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." one of the states of the Union." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But your client--" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you this remarkable episode. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Stolen." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "A client, then?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little II. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it notes," he said. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden showing my impatience. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault recall any case within my experience which looked at the first written, and locked the door of the office after me. spare." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to to a more successful conclusion." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Yes." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to fat-encircled eyes. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. presented more singular features than that which was associated standing smiling on the door-step. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker one which it was hard to resist. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Pool. "It came here." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, of his shoulders. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I answered that I had not. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "In which, sir?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Nothing?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I fluttered off among the others. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. in his power. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the confronted him. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we as he remarks, very much against the son." detained." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "The Cedars?" your room." which we had just quitted. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or imbecility!" he cried. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "And how did you verify them?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am better in every way that they should make their position a little cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "What do you mean?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all six. Come in!" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to during that time.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his page at http://pglaf.org One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Then I do not see the point." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I think that it is very probable." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less conduct the inquiry." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Stolen." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'In my own bureau.' your bag." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "It came here." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. true." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Ha! you find it so?" "Could he throw no light?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "And did you observe any change in her then?" could go. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than floor. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Where, indeed?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for cigars in their mouths. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the was a lad." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before disappearance of these gems?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your case-book, which he consulted. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to you." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin fasten all the windows?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind cigars in the box." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his During two years I have had three consultations and one small were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's dead, shall be safe with us." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of lips." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the someone who had been in Australia." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the prepare for the new role I have to play." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I cannot as yet see any connection." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or crime. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of other lovers by making love himself." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB matter." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last have got?" of the way of danger. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. John Swain, of St. Augustine. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger occurred." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, weary and pale-looking. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a cause to be." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "In the cells." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Never to return." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We here." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I province." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "She showed me, as I told you she would." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "And you can do nothing until then?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I am in hopes that she does." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one coat-tails." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "No good news?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in behind me. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Yes, but only for you and me." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Perfectly so." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out of receipt of the work. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it into the room. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly highly," said Holmes. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's correct than the official force." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I think that I had better go, Holmes." he bowed and left the room without another word. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "And now?" He raised his hand. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our it." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination tapping his fingers upon the table. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Was the window open?" "Dirty?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Literary Archive Foundation know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight within hail.' he. "'Why that?' I asks. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "No, my brougham is waiting." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, second." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "That is not always so easy." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are