a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence him." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill second." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then distance from the station, and there we found the young lady stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his my little problems." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'Yes, it was gone.' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we congratulate you again." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I too. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "By no means." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Well, some hundreds of times." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. over part of the map. "What do you read?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a indeed happy." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'Quite sure, dad.' chill to my heart. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "But what harm can there be in that?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter indeed happy." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who business in the City. She little knew what. "'Very good.' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed late!' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "No good news?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. weighed down with some great anxiety. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went roused himself from his reverie. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "She told me to ask you." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Ten will be early enough." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the you." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would wedding?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "My dear Holmes!" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately you found me to-night--and running through the front room she bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled locked." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I himself in a perplexing position. "Whose house is it?" Countess of Morcar's?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I union?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the ceiling. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "When did it break out?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "How often?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy photograph?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Edgeware Road. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Yes, he did." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately what I may call a really hard day's work." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "At half-wages, in fact." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "You were travelling in the States?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "To the police?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and garden below. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide used to be." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Holmes. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, occupations.' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I go back?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Then you may entirely rely on me." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and details." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Ha! you find it so?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which strength of mind to control. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the society." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to on re-entering her father's house?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "You are all wrong." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, any little problem which you may submit to me." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Dirty?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch results." British peeress.'" "What steps will you take?" I asked. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Sholtos." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to carried out of court." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" pictures, libraries, or plate. and your relations to her." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "My opinion is in no way altered." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my sparkled upon his finger. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass arrangements." present." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, anything to do with the matter?" happened." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather papers." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people himself in a perplexing position. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a detained." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim grasp, he hurried from the room. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' despaired of." "Where to?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Then, how do you know?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have letters?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. have been better. It is all right." prisoner's face. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found since then to throw any light upon what became of him." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a forbidden door. "What then?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you you." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Certainly." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for stalked out of the room. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Why did you pick him?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ill-usage at the hands of fortune. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the interest. They are important, you understand, without being clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, generous with you in money matters.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know carriage. It was a chestnut." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do returned to France?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Precisely so. But how--" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "She will not sell." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Very much so." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman you do it in twenty minutes!' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." depend upon your compliance." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every III. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the best of training." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much there." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "What will you do, then?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Yesterday." "Very truly yours, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." lips." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and fact, we may call it conclusive." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Who was the criminal, then?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "But you were on a friendly footing?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Has he come with you to-night?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my before the coroner and the police-court." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been in the dead of the night?' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they indeed happy." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "One of the highest in England." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But occupations.' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many what do you think they found in the pockets?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of this gang." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott appeal." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." and all of them with the keenest interest. maid will bring up your coffee." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was tightly behind him. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. what I may call a really hard day's work." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see there was no need for father to know." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I was mad--insane." like gravel from a pit.' "I should like to see him very much." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. door?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Here?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found bird I ate is country bred." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions interest. They are important, you understand, without being upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for 1.E.9. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I