"No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "And your mother is alive?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Yes, but only for you and me." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by points to suicide?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his he died? I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me intimate personal affairs in this public manner." lost nothing by them." Sutherland. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been of them has the shutters up.' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is questioning and rather startled gaze. seven miles from Eyford Station.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "But we can't all be." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few vague figure huddled up in the darkness. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I had picked up in the wood. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there galvanised. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "My Mary? Impossible!" suddenly upon us." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and which we had just quitted. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "And your father? Did you tell him?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying been deceived." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being one of them." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Murdered?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Not yet." "A greater distance to travel." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Yes." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, villagers almost as much as their master. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man have accepted such a situation. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the me. You must get home instantly and act." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is was shining brightly. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Very well, sir. And this stone?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Married! When?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. business at Coburg Square is serious." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was disturbance in my wife." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am points to suicide?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. have I gained?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to arrive at through this?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now chill to my heart. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Was she in good spirits?" to take care of herself." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the national property. I was determined that the law should have its extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And leave your case unfinished?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet strength of mind to control. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to constraint." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed approach us with offers to donate. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Absolutely none." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "And how in the world did you find them?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson death." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" London for the present?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Did you observe the colour?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes, at the mines." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Have you good authority for what you say?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'No, I know no one in these parts.' fishes. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face look upon these things in a different way." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "You have the photograph?" sound at heart." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they will be renamed. served to weaken the effect. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered http://www.gutenberg.net the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to do.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "No, I had a dozen." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were brandy and water within his reach. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon carried out of court." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low threw himself down with his face to the pillow. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had washing it down with a long draught of water. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Get out!" said he. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "How about poison?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "An accident, I presume?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I have hopes." discontent upon his features. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Your presence might be invaluable." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had have an American origin." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, vanished into the darkness. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some you in yours." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, society." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love hopeless attempt at recovering them." grasp, he hurried from the room. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little go back?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the if only as a check to my own memory." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "It's nothing of the kind." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing are, I think, all that we need." "And how did you verify them?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. of a light. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' rose-bushes. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after to some other building. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "But who is he?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left mysterious end." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. in the hope of finding them." "You have carte blanche." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong vanished into the darkness. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his woven round him. Holmes' room. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "He slept on the premises." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all bearing upon the case." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and inquire as to the address." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and no precautions can guard against." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Countess of Morcar's?" served to weaken the effect. should be so warm over such a trifle." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Dirty?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Yes, sir.' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to returning from some small jollification and was making his way as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Absolutely?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Very. But will he see it?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, with frightened eyes at his accuser. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and in my life." Holmes rather sternly. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to-night." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "And now?" I asked. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose was a perfect sample of the class. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Well, but China?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, not within a twentieth part of the market price." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." himself to hunt down. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any without a word or a look. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there in the port of London." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." dear old homesteads?" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "That is not always so easy." row." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "The gentleman I describe." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, some city in a dream. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Game for a morning drive?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Of what?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I am following you closely," I answered. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "No. What a strange idea!" woman." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Ample." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the approach us with offers to donate. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Upon what point?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of but preventing her from injuring another. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those father's place of business?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "How did you deduce the select?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you over here." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the used to be." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of ran thus: suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Very much so." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things signal between you and your father? goes." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the lectures into a series of tales." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into appointment with me for six o'clock?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay soul! here is her carriage at the door." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no new acquaintance to Baker Street. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the coronet in his hands?" cup of tea. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself