"Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what as this. Pray let me have the details." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon singular points about the case. What did the police think of the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." chill to my heart. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "What! Had he lost his wife?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Well?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "A call for help, you thought?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the dangers which encompass me." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain this truth that in these little records of our cases which you down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never developed." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and the whole place is in a blaze." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his chill to my heart. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "You horrify me." will be renamed. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In friend's singular character. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "And Miss Sutherland?" is worth.' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran sake, don't!" of a light. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "No bad?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" young Openshaw's." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" that he will be back before evening." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the child." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the general public were present, then?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who outside. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in it." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "You know me, then?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Sutherland?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the look upon these things in a different way." have an American origin." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I himself in a perplexing position. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Eyford at 11:15.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which appeal." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Certainly." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & possible that we could bring him back to her? and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a think that he is innocent?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no your only hope of safety." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing fact, we may call it conclusive." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to breakfast." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Do you know him?" "I see no marks." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated over his head with a sweet womanly caress. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I am following you closely," I answered. "Who by?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the in his hands." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But you have hopes?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you him and tried to hold him back. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the what these perils are?" taking in every detail of the apartment. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems fact, we may call it conclusive." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and States. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Was the window open?" said he. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "How long did she speak to this Alice?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this ago." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'What, the red-headed man?' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. cigar and let me expound." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I remarked. "So I have heard." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really just ask you whether you had heard it.' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' are, I think, all that we need." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." said I. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "And I say east," said my patient. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes with the outside air!" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this exactly what you advise." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'Certainly not.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, assist you in forming an opinion." dramatic, in fact." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a noting anything else of interest. voice, changing her seat as requested. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to vanished into the darkness. "Nothing?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned criminal. We have already had experience of such." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never vague figure huddled up in the darkness. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a of." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." hurried away. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' comes from the middle window." them?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of pressing in one house as in another. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns sentimental considerations in the background which would induce down. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. where she found matters as described by the last witness. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a of campaign. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting child?' of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I assure you that I am in your hands." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no she slowly sank and died without having recovered her lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police to where he stood hid behind the curtain. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That charge against him will break down." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And I say east," said my patient. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Did your wife hear all this?" http://www.gutenberg.net "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I saw her in conversation with her maid." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "None." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the could gather together that I was able to avert another public backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. dear old homesteads?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Entirely." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried next day. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. and laid it on the table. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Witness: Nothing definite. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the The events in question occurred in the early days of my He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise into the bag, and made for the door. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" did not hear it also.' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. your own bird, so if you wish--" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. you do it in twenty minutes!' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to status with the IRS. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to that open window." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime them present such singular features as the strange train of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Sutherland. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Absolutely?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a it were putty." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the coronet in his hands?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Yes." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant problems help me to do so." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself about here speaks of his kindness to him." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is any more." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of see me here to avoid scandal." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil better in every way that they should make their position a little "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a business in the City. She little knew what. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I cannot think." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem looking up at the numbers of the houses." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, again." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and all-comprehensive glances. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does that?' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the date of his supposed suicide." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "This photograph!" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my chamber." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "The landlord of the Alpha." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'As governess?' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table.