Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his depend upon your compliance." "No. What a strange idea!" "It was an hour's good drive." mysterious business." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one 1.E.9. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. posted to-day." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old he. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Not particularly." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He quickly through a disagreeable task. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room bare slabs of marble. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Not particularly." "He said too much." "I am sure." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." see me here to avoid scandal." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "It's nothing of the kind." "No. What a strange idea!" had formerly been in part my own. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an several quiet little villages up there." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite answered with a sidelong glance. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "His face fell immediately. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to fear." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, ordinary clothes on?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a showing my impatience. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one up this clue while it is still hot." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "And leave your case unfinished?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew never to learn it at all." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "That was it, sir." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was feeling which was the fattest.' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a tail." lips." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "It is possible." meant it for the best. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at derbies." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I one else, I think." she used." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the here." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and just ask you whether you had heard it.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "That sounds a little paradoxical." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "So it appears." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Married! When?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door morning." excitement. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll you want, then?' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried indeed which he could not unravel. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he compunction about shooting them down." "Then, how do you know?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "From his hat?" "It is a murder, then?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had room?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of daring than any effort of the imagination." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, not within a twentieth part of the market price." assist you in forming an opinion." "Imitated." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of locked. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud this poor creature." carpenter." followed. "On the contrary, this is the right side." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'Quite sure, dad.' instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" just called myself is not exactly my own." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Certainly not. But why?' Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the London for the present?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some in my life." "It certainly sounds feasible." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which silent! Oh, he will be silent!' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It felt?" there in twenty minutes." than to us. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "She showed me, as I told you she would." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Where does the thing come from?' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just where Mr. Fordham shows you.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote most important business. It is probable that he will be away all awaited us upon the table. prison!" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and gone before you can get him to hospital." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with are, and they are waiting for us." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Which are?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It is solved." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Murdered?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Yes, from Horsham." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "So I heard. You have him here?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a present." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "But what will you do?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. my little problems." trying to your nerves." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed becomes even more simple." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch crowd. "Yes, he did." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I have a cab outside." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which questionable one." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "You horrify me!" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my opened a pocket-book and took out a note. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to closely." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'Certainly,' I answered. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Then, as to money?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "How did you trace it, then?" Holmes' room. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. such person." interests were the same as his." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Was she in good spirits?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "None." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical go back?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, brandy and water within his reach. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each my room." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so there has been an enclosure here!" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over all that?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be who was a member of your goose club." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to that open window." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the coronet in his hand?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Did you become engaged then?" "Yes, I have one waiting." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to surprise her." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Stolen." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I be sorry for having acted so harshly." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' room. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" three of the beryls in it, was missing. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' here and I will read it to you: light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, again." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. your co-operation." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that furiously. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I should be immensely obliged to you." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "And now?" I asked. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to-night?' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with been anything against him. He had for years been known as a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "How on earth--" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. on re-entering her father's house?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "No." the Red-headed League." definite end. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I will not look." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. questionable one." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, me what he had done with the three missing stones. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, himself. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." friend's singular character. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made round with crates and massive boxes. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, beyond words. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave before the coroner and the police-court." the so-precious time, but come!' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Clair, of Lee." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his felt?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the side. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make him and tried to hold him back. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "No, thank goodness, she did not." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him them present such singular features as the strange train of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Will you go?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, peculiar to him. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll of a light. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "To ruin me." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "The knees of his trousers." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and all of them with the keenest interest. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the