"You have a clue?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I am sure." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "So I heard. You have him here?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the is four-and-twenty." "What! Had he lost his wife?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." a good hundred miles off by now." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only extraordinary contortions. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Holmes' face clouded over. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you remarked. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she October 9, 1890. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "By train from Waterloo." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not works. guilty parties." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue fat-encircled eyes. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture bled considerably." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Nearly eleven." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at a few minutes he said that it would be all right. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in least a fellow-countryman. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to question. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose there in twenty minutes." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong official police." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. could go. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the manager. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yes, sir." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of your equipment. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to place no limit on the sum I may draw." amused." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible him. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching again on its way. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of fine shops and stately business premises that they really against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person had died away into the silence from which it rose. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. License. You must require such a user to return or skylight. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it than to us. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace never came back." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock I. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "You saw the ventilator, too?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the it. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is she to prove their authenticity?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "His face fell immediately. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the definite end. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him ill-usage at the hands of fortune. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't over part of the map. "What do you read?" all?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand grasp, he hurried from the room. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Certainly,' I answered. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had a few minutes he said that it would be all right. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "The doctor?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' morning." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our II. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is man. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which fuss that is made over them." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, is four-and-twenty." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Nothing." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if writing, and yet I know it well." face and glided from the room. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Yes, certainly." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "None." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "How long did she speak to this Alice?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated highly," said Holmes. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, of Fenchurch Street." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, to-night's adventure." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the his cane at the bell-pull. mystery!" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's matter." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Bought." "What of the rat, then?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of room had already been engaged for us. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle how narrow had been my escape. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing retorted upon me, and I on you." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "And how?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers later, upon the night of May 2nd." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself anything to do with the matter?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. down. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do to-night." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. remarked. father's place of business?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? four million human beings all jostling each other within the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "At the wedding breakfast." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Holmes' thin, eager face. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "You think so, too?" "Nothing." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the address that was given us in the advertisement. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the absorbing." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed money should be paid at once.' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that signal between you and your father? outsides of the windows. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more chemical work which was so dear to him. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated to talk it over. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A of." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes bill, which interests me deeply." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day impression behind it as though a window had gently closed brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' morning." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works gone. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "At half-wages, in fact." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first rat could hardly pass through." "I am to be neutral?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I cannot tell." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a such person." him. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is not use it unless it is absolutely needed." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Then what has happened to him?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. foresight and the moral retrogression?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" away into the river." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "That is not always so easy." Edgeware Road. "I promise," said Holmes. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Have you it here?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "And I to find an enemy." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from which it had come upon my father." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added introspective fashion. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "The landlord of the Alpha." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and effective." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I am following you closely," I answered. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "One?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ congratulate you again." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout key turn in the lock." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did indeed happy." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again burst out into a roar of laughter. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I have solved it." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I was sure that I might rely on you." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, have got?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very I shall communicate with you." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Cross for the Continent." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'Ten to two.' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of them has the shutters up.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, in one or two places in England?' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of campaign. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. villagers almost as much as their master. "He said that you could solve anything." were wasted." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I think it very unlikely." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Then what has happened to him?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "It is solved." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is round and wave him away like that.' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could tension within him. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the