of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "But he might be a bachelor." "My stepfather's business papers." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself little adventures." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, of your young ladies.' prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for he died? characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were events, Mr. Windibank!" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the confronted him. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes generous with you in money matters.' breakfast?" the inner apartment." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian public press." have had none more fantastic than this." already referred to. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting hair?' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Yes, I have one waiting." any." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You horrify me!" "I fear not." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a giving me time to thank him. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon frequently gained my first real insight into the character of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have into the bag, and made for the door. chamber." "Yes, from Horsham." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. were wasted." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did you in yours." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if emerged. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it true." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I cannot think." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. trying to your nerves." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in started for the Temple to see my husband. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I mystery may be cleared along those lines." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, me upon any point which I do not make clear." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'And the work?' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. morning." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'I have heard so.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for cigar and let me expound." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Why did you pick him?" "And now?" He raised his hand. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and take the flies, but not before." him, that man would not have given me such complete information black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "But we can't all be." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of the one which your family is now devouring." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Stolen!' he cried. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found stalked out of the room. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then at a side door. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood humiliation." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban chance." "Here?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered will find little credit to be gained out of this case." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All awaited us upon the table. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Perfectly so." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "What are they?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Not in a good cause." License. You must require such a user to return or "Who was the criminal, then?" "So I am. Very much so." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And Irene Adler?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and all of them with the keenest interest. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she in his hands." "Did he not advertise?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Holmes, the busybody!" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' business." "A call for help, you thought?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." British peeress.'" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'Which dealer's?' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad detective. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And who is her maid?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Did he not advertise?" "'Oh, no.' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Ha! you find it so?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the loss of it. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a feature." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Not yet." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since would apply.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had is," said he presently: His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles future lives." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "At the wedding breakfast." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the dangers which encompass me." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might voice, changing her seat as requested. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear things are very often connected not with the larger but with the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed these bleak autumnal evenings." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly likely to be some crony of the landlady's." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "And when will you call?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Yes." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very remarked. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it my friend's incisive reasoning. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others been able to understand it, in a very few words. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. emerged. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "My dear Holmes!" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "And the cigar-holder?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a forbidden door. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. way in everything. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "But his lameness?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the ready to-morrow?' sneer upon his pale face. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Then I am your man." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "This photograph!" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made gives a meaning to it." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole crowd. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my golden eyeglasses. me. You must get home instantly and act." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not words came to my lips. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "No." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his dates and names. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "But how will you look?" "An enemy?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built indeed which he could not unravel. young Openshaw's." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "But you would not advise me to refuse?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what prepare for the new role I have to play." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he believe that I should never have any practice at all. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. me have 200 pounds?' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "That sounds a little paradoxical." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and For additional contact information: "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." yourselves in at night?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most upon the sideboard." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as child?' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I have seen the police." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Stolen, then." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers cigars in the box." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." http://gutenberg.net/license). walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was congenial hunt. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." read over the extraordinary announcement. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Never to return." that I am arrested." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of second window is the one that I jumped from." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man a monotonous occupation." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Then he might have called to you?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our upon a handsome competence. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called village inn over there?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I will do it." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly strange features which were associated with the two crimes which turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "We have tried and failed." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Munro.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. assist you in forming an opinion." "Was your sister dressed?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in will take you up to see the machine.' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest placed his cuttings. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "What will you do, then?" obstinate." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, fluttered off among the others. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very not within a twentieth part of the market price." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Bought." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'Yes, it was gone.' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call done what I asked you, Jones?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, case-book, which he consulted. "I have solved it." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free