Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Yes." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred might help us?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally at home. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when made him keep the appointment." occurred." forecastle of an emigrant ship. prison!" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some chance at all." advice." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" sound at heart." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite business." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "He slept on the premises." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the learned something! Where are the gems?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "He might." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from companion imperturbably. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him brandy and water within his reach. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done that he will be back before evening." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I my former friend and companion. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was distance from the station, and there we found the young lady possible that we could bring him back to her? Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of murdered man." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to crackling voice. "'Yes, sir.' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" in the hope of finding them." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Who was the criminal, then?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw it." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Stolen, then." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and drawing your inferences." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look me upon any point which I do not make clear." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some nights." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you and no precautions can guard against." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge said he. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'What are you doing there?' he asked. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to address. "What will you say?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Never." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this note?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you found me to-night--and running through the front room she he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I you for a few hours?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the directly by questioning you." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I say that I have solved it." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of Mr. Rucastle's." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "What then?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging I nodded again. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I am sure." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of questioning and rather startled gaze. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is would apply.' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All him!" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Proceed, then." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but past. legal crime." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, paper in the air. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "And help." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium undoubtedly my uncle's." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your woman." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of best detective that ever lived. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "What! a murderous attack?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon matters immensely." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the child." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go been lifted and conveyed somewhere." might help us?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. these bleak autumnal evenings." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are detective. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'Certainly not.' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly any more." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without her also." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And help." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end it means?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, chair. DISSOLVED. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was promised to bring home. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our newspaper selections." tell me that you intended to go into harness." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally national property. I was determined that the law should have its which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Project Gutenberg-tm works. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted you in your example." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back rat could hardly pass through." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice there has been an enclosure here!" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which little trying to do so much typewriting?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and any more." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Yes, all." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" something of him before." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced views." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "What! Had he lost his wife?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes you came in." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "But how?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Pray let us have it, for all that." him!" business at Coburg Square is serious." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Yes." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Holmes' face clouded over. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' burst out into a roar of laughter. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the roots. "Was she in good spirits?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to awkward doing business with an alias." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "And when will you call?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over bell. Holmes whistled. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "You saw the ventilator, too?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty DISSOLVED. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. you came in." "'Yes, sir.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "What then?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your I shall continue with my miserable story. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of an introduction to him?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "By no means." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "No?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. on in his house." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is time." upon the shelf for the interim." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most returning from some small jollification and was making his way But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same events than those which have happened in my own family." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more threw himself down with his face to the pillow. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and outside. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That returning from some small jollification and was making his way I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "BALLARAT." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, which we had just quitted. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but tell him that I know him to be innocent." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman placed his cuttings. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." is a common subject for conversation. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my deduce something from that?" "How many? I don't know." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, to Leatherhead. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the morning and make my own way in the world.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I learned something! Where are the gems?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "9th. McCauley cleared. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "You have compromised yourself seriously." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very hour?' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Frequently." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his few hundred pounds.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' gentleman's clothes. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that character. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice morning." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my disturbance in my wife." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you