"I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose constraint." "But his left-handedness." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after it." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of ran thus: case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he to a light-house. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide could go. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Ah, but I was recommended to you." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I am not easy in my mind about them." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Why? What do you mean?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three washing it down with a long draught of water. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly indiscretion." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms crime. observed. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "That is also quite modern," said the lady. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. bedroom door." nonsense.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend with some details as to your case." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to be best to do. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving once more to my work. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'Which dealer's?' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming letters?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the bottom.' chair. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of some water from a caraffe. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, flock.' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was face and glided from the room. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "And is that all?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." charge against him will break down." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian character. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the away into the river." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. chambers. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Again Holmes raved in the air. "Where is it, then?" photograph a cabinet?" conclusions. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you recover the gem." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and if only as a check to my own memory." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if imbecility!" he cried. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for he died? people don't know." "No, I think that I'll take it." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make pierced for earrings?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Leadenhall Street--and--" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not manager. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "When did she vanish, then?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is trifles." dear old homesteads?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Absolutely none." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced me, and I could not think that his explanation of the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "That is possible." "About a month then." already been minutely examined." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." disappearance of the bride.'" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I call you and give you the chance." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I out of this horrible affair." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon cup of tea. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward do you make of it all?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I shall continue with my miserable story. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this said I. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "The King of Scandinavia." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Stoke Moran." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all bedroom door." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Did your wife hear all this?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Yes, it would be as well." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I will get her to show me." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. was already answered. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Precisely." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir himself in a perplexing position. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "At the wedding breakfast." up this clue while it is still hot." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an handed it to him. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this pity, because in other respects you would really have done very those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the house with me." "Oh, yes, easily." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Where is it, then?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll as yours." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous From what you have told me I think that it is possible that gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I should be immensely obliged to you." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." shaken than I had ever seen him. it." "And Irene Adler?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the driver. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "None." to change my dress. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the any more." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the night.' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left or in danger--" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "But it has twice been burgled." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. events, Mr. Windibank!" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her astonishment. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "What, then, did Peterson do?" strength of mind to control. have not had my rubber." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest you want, then?' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong morning." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I am about to be married." he died? were new raised from a basin. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some allusion to a rat. "I assure you that I am in your hands." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to outside. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the washing it down with a long draught of water. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Your French gold?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Whose house is it?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Frequently." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he anything to a woman, for she would have her way." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And away into the river." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Absolutely?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and all of them with the keenest interest. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "None." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "It is possible." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "How can you tell that?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of gone. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Tired-looking or fresh?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand would then never go into court at all." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to for the market.' papers." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and read it out to me." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "And what then?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' papers on the sundial.'" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you meant." It may be so in this case, also." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With conversation I have gathered that they have been married about as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "That is easily got." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I am following you closely," I answered. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "VIOLET HUNTER." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. fled together." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "That is not always so easy." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "He is dead," cried several voices. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless present." "I think it very unlikely." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "You think so, too?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes, all." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless together. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "This photograph!" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard anything to do with the matter?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Then I shall certainly come." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was a perfect sample of the class. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes detective. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of