he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "And leave your case unfinished?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg letters?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough that you wished to speak to me?' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? there when the Rucastles went away." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the window, rose as we entered. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the very letters. But what is this written above them?' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Holmes rather sternly. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United fait accompli?" Mary, has deserted me." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the you do it in twenty minutes!' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." outbreak?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" will not take me long to tell. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second fuss that is made over them." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural entirely devoid of interest." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'Never.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ memory. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the married her." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "The knees of his trousers." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Thank you. And your address?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some away into the river." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Then what has happened to him?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' ago." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would nice household for a young lady." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of occurred." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very success. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the I. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "And why?" "Texas, I think." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to me. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the compunction about shooting them down." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us know all about it," he snarled. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she have had none more fantastic than this." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her brain must have something in it." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. client, rising. the night.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found where we are going." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the driver. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I thin legs towards the fire. yet." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with not, dad?" she asked. Munro.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "How often?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I peculiar to him. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our chamber." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "My Mary? Impossible!" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Come in!" said he. more terrible than the truth. evidence," I remarked. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Upon what point?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Never to return." disturbance in my wife." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming taking in every detail of the apartment. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest your room." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a conclusions. danger is over." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "But his left-handedness." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'Stolen!' he cried. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Then I am your man." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never himself to hunt down. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small plantation.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' posted to-day." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person your most interesting statement." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt true." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy means taking possession of that which another person has a prior 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no fashion which was peculiar to him. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the furiously. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his union?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful front of me. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Murdered?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which secret." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the King without delay." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. to some other building. have I gained?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably extraordinary contortions. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' said I. "Where, indeed?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and I shall be with you presently." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies true." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed father's young wife. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'Yes.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Then, how do you know?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a to-night?' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I could go. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was people in all walks of life. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that works. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the few hundred pounds.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, straightened it out again. towards the blaze. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a what these perils are?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a conclusions. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was conclusions. to tackle the facts." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the said he at last. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You here." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. to affect your life." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "But what harm can there be in that?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Miss Holder?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "On Monday." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Why? What do you mean?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you go--none." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "To the police?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Witness: It was. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of you for a few hours?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not noble correspondent could be. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his to some other building. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much followed. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "You will not go there first?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the matter over." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and laid it on the table. "What then?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the This is what he says: case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the stable lane now." "How on earth--" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the definite end. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A detective. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank chamber." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, may have an influence upon European history." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the outbreak?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my face and glided from the room. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Certainly." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "And sit in the dark?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which me upon any point which I do not make clear." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I cannot as yet see any connection." could go. ordinary clothes on?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I know where it is." Sutherland?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Then I do not see the point." respectable self." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "No legal papers or certificates?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the himself in a perplexing position. Cross for the Continent." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and glanced through.