strong reason behind." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside putting in the horse. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had retorted upon me, and I on you." "And I to find an enemy." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the said I. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Is purely nominal.' Street. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this future lives." of the vacancies.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began appeared upon the scene." enter into my head. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'As governess?' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left few hundred pounds.' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And on what day did he meet his death?" sofa. This way, please!" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Nothing?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so purpose equally well?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "His face fell immediately. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'Oh, no.' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan will not take me long to tell. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what What do you deduce from it?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Nearly eleven." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie business?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could than to us. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to cause to be." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of like that before?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was with the outside air!" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "You were travelling in the States?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would vault. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a nice household for a young lady." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring case before our client came into the room." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. lamp. "Look there!" said he. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the keep the flames under. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." me where it went to?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His cheerful." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and I shall be with you presently." friend's singular character. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT shall not find me ungrateful." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting have an American origin." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "And now?" I asked. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael villagers almost as much as their master. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. suddenly upon us." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "But you can know nothing of this?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'What do you call purely nominal?' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now strode off upon his way. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that my special province." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret back alive. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the stable lane now." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely been able to understand it, in a very few words. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in manager. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which ways including including checks, online payments and credit card elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fear." "So it appears." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of this gang." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what down from London to inquire more deeply into it." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A of Mr. Rucastle's." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "She showed me, as I told you she would." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But how did you gain them?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the salesman. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'I have already given you my word.' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I am to be neutral?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, up this clue while it is still hot." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to a more successful conclusion." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the way: family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been an introduction to him?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the unprofitable." get the tickets." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat had this final quarrel? "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the running down." fled together." arrested. You then--" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, again, where I was soon asleep. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "My own seal." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his all-comprehensive glances. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., lost his Christmas dinner." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "She told me to ask you." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the best of training." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the wedding?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to lost nothing by them." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Very murderous indeed." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to problems help me to do so." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. see me here to avoid scandal." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not chemical work which was so dear to him. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master room?" writing, and yet I know it well." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "You have a clue?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Yes, but only for you and me." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose cigar and let me expound." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "None." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to situation." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the wall." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want definite end. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical mystery!" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "That sounds a little paradoxical." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. maid will bring up your coffee." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his knees, staring into the fire. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "The gentleman I describe." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Yes, it would be as well." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "She walked into the breakfast-room." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little not fit the lock." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him standing smiling on the door-step. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker interested in these little problems, and since you are good upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to question," said Holmes, smiling. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. October 9, 1890. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Then you may be so with me." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite to surprise her." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement vault. if I call to-morrow?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the them?" "I am sure." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "My dear Holmes!" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I should like to see him very much." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I cannot say that I have." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been criminal. We have already had experience of such." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "You horrify me." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. The King stared at him in amazement. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and affair. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close experiences." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord young Openshaw's." morning." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so province." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to forehead. I shall continue with my miserable story. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to floor. your room." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger strong and stiff." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "No more words. Get out!" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "It is his hat." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Then what has happened to him?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you closely." "And I say east," said my patient. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. beyond words. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If was used.' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be me upon any point which I do not make clear." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "A call for help, you thought?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes