in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I which we had just quitted. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the you?' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need noise which awoke you from your sleep?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The was feeling which was the fattest.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a strength of mind to control. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my get the tickets." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "A thing like a cleaver," said he. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "You forget that I know nothing about it." "What will you say?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Eh? What was that?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their of your young ladies.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a them?" until night should bring an explanation. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of forecastle of an emigrant ship. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'How far from the body?' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Dark enough and sinister enough." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a feature." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** nothing with him." "Very truly yours, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. call it cruel." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I was mad--insane." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat him to go away.' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in chance." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Your presence might be invaluable." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one what these perils are?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as yet." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "What will you say?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Do you go out much in society?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's away to you." affection." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders was a lad." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and placed his cuttings. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I answered that I had not. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. newspaper selections." "Come in!" said he. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "What is it, then--a fire?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." examine." "My photograph." "And from a noble client?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Lestrade of Scotland Yard." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I power." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own my friend's incisive reasoning. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Stoke Moran." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." anything to do with the matter?" "Witness: It was. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could again." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between soul! here is her carriage at the door." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" said he. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in developed." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "No legal papers or certificates?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was standing smiling on the door-step. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to room?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "No legal papers or certificates?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his You want to know what became of those geese?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to roused himself from his reverie. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Yes, I have one waiting." I approached. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman once more on the important position which you have been fortunate dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined was lame." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might make me his representative both with the servants and with the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I shall most certainly do so." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not prison!" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the gone. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Why serious?" quickly through a disagreeable task. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's upon the shelf for the interim." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "She walked into the breakfast-room." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Do you know him?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "What steps will you take?" I asked. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of McCarthy's innocence. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. himself to hunt down. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "When did it break out?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been your sleep?' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch should be taken.' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Does that suggest anything?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. closing the door. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Married! When?" 11:15.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "But you were on a friendly footing?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE union?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in the dead of the night?' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the ready to-morrow?' a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I am still in the dark." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I papers diligently of late, have you not?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my peculiar to him. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the relief. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the system of imprisonment?" lumber-room." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. said Mr. Holder. me upon any point which I do not make clear." you." "ARAT," I read. instituted." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the gigantic client. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." his huge brown hands. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of any." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything official police." to his chemical studies. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Nothing." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Perhaps I have." "One of his hands." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an habit of advancing money.' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "No, distinctly professional." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon opened the door, and slipped through. until night should bring an explanation. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & think you a quite exceptional woman." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's footfalls from the street. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Did he not advertise?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left James Windibank. Voilà tout!" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "No." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And how have you succeeded?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Here?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that you wished to speak to me?' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Yes?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "There is the writing." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I am following you closely," I answered. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Then let me do so?' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I will not look." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "In heaven's name, what for?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue a few minutes he said that it would be all right. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the house with me." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." them, and came down just as you departed. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "No, I had a dozen." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you,