"Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know bears upon the case?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods your only hope of safety." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are vanished into the darkness. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the second window is the one that I jumped from." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable remarked. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a that I am arrested." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it said I. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his companion. these bleak autumnal evenings." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND to arrive at through this?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't throat." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his It may be so in this case, also." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency outbreak?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "What shall I do?" it." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the that three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about read over the extraordinary announcement. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Then I shall certainly come." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, It may be so in this case, also." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "And that is--" call you and give you the chance." to tackle the facts." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a round and wave him away like that.' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and the colonel ushered me in. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "A thing like a cleaver," said he. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with little adventures." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the salesman. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little awkward doing business with an alias." "Pray do so." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from fact, we may call it conclusive." "We must have a cab." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event is worth.' the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "My dear Holmes!" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "And you don't know his address?" o'clock is it?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "She will not sell." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "You are all wrong." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Watson," he said cordially. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at laugh and put his lips to my ear. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I am about to be married." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just waste of energy." before, for it was considerably after midnight. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "In which, sir?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." depend upon your compliance." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, as yours." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak paper in the air. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he again, where I was soon asleep. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to at home. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have you." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner when your master had gone out." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. seem to you to be relevant or not." "'Which dealer's?' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I am to be neutral?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the roots. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can But Holmes shook his head gravely. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "My photograph." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock you." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the Red-headed League." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Stolen, then." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I was concerned in it." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted be sorry for having acted so harshly." three of the beryls in it, was missing. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Then the page we have seen--" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "How are you getting on?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "But the mystery?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the night.' red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you murdered man." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "ARAT," I read. "Have you her photograph?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we been lifted and conveyed somewhere." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "It is very clear." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from II. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Serpentine Avenue. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility him, that man would not have given me such complete information so.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing have had none more fantastic than this." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love brandy and water within his reach. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic should be taken.' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the south-west, I see." "No more words. Get out!" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of pressing in one house as in another. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "That was it, sir." written. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, heavily into it. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as had a long day." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack brought there to personate someone, and the real person is But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "None." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, chambers. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for young Openshaw's." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he feature." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "The murder was done with it." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Yes, it would be as well." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It is a murder, then?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes, only one." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her both be extremely obliged.' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away interested in these little problems, and since you are good "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that followed. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Perfectly so." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his was used.' be.' "Oh, fresh and glossy." existence." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Pool. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I evidence," I remarked. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the hands. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those look dissatisfied." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the me have 200 pounds?' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." locked." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their delirious. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." than was visible to me." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare there." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast business matters.' just called myself is not exactly my own." himself in a perplexing position. For additional contact information: Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might help us in this matter." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this me upon any point which I do not make clear." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade electronic works she might be summoned. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Holmes' room. "'There is a drive, then?' at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. It may be so in this case, also." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Not social, then?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those lids now and glanced across at his visitor. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "What is it?" good for you to do.' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' business?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial chance." hopeless attempt at recovering them." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said I shall continue with my miserable story. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' written, and locked the door of the office after me. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'And the work?' "I beg pardon." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. on in his house." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other key turn in the lock." whether it answered to the description of any of their had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that think that he is innocent?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by there." second." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of in his hands." with frightened eyes at his accuser. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it ill-usage at the hands of fortune. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the house with me." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I him." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In late!' humiliation." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end."