from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your my former friend and companion. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back him to be an active member of the medical profession." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of all-comprehensive glances. the side-table." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Where, then, is my wife?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "But his left-handedness." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty happened." "It is half-past ten now." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, sufficient punishment." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her carried out of court." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I sparkled upon his finger. writing, and yet I know it well." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He man. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the loss of it. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Eyford." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" other means.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do my room." not within a twentieth part of the market price." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Henry Baker is a member." cheerful." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was that you can jump it.' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. hereditary King of Bohemia." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and inquire as to the address." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called congenial hunt. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. rat could hardly pass through." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have present." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock himself to tell his story. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I kind enough to tell me what I should do." to-morrow." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I society." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Dr. Gregory B. Newby confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect was keenly on my guard against him. "I cannot tell." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. said Mr. Holder. together. question. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Then, as to money?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Then I shall certainly come." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I in. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, more terrible than the truth. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this she used." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "If so, much may have happened between." "How often?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Pope's Court. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the address that was given us in the advertisement. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort so.' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "The gentleman I describe." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "9th. McCauley cleared. place no limit on the sum I may draw." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "No, I am descending." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal purpose of examination. so far?" not fit the lock." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before your troubles." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Has he come with you to-night?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "What?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "The best possible." careless servant girl?" "Come in!" said Holmes. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. orange pips. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or against a man in the prime of life?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." brain must have something in it." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he with you?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "The landlord of the Alpha." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in 1.E.9. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so compunction about shooting them down." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." do.' too. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" pierced for earrings?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Yes, it would be as well." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Then I do not see the point." "VIOLET HUNTER." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with congenial hunt. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the not, dad?" she asked. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that later, upon the night of May 2nd." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a promised to bring home. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her colour had been driven from his face. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had back into the street. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, away into the river." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the morning and make my own way in the world.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as himself to tell his story. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'What, the red-headed man?' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned DAMAGE. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I don't believe it." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her infinite languor in his face. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "My Mary? Impossible!" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I cannot imagine." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the photograph a cabinet?" foot. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, out." "Texas, I think." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the cigar and let me expound." "There are none." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy particular state visit http://pglaf.org accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been comes from the middle window." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a extraordinary contortions. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak prisoner's face. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with read it out to me." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "You have but to name it." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." bonnet, and went out." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Imitated." outbreak?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich certainly do as you advise." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this sneer upon his pale face. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Yes, I promise.' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "My dear Holmes!" his eyes and forehead. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Not in a good cause." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "By no means." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low papers." of the one which your family is now devouring." "The rest you will leave in our hands." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the window, rose as we entered. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which III. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a giving me time to thank him. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It's nothing of the kind." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my me. You must get home instantly and act." "Was she in good spirits?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the nursery. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by awkward doing business with an alias." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the companion. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had chill to my heart. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Was there a secret marriage?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or politicians who had been sent down from the North. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "And why in hopes?" "'I shall certainly be there.' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "How did you deduce the select?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "And it is--" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler up this clue while it is still hot." we went to search for him, face downward in a little 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening situation." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I public press." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about