"Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I important." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Sholtos." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should at my own good fortune. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my dramatic, in fact." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "'Very good.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of had this final quarrel? circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Game for a morning drive?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Certainly." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "And help." to-night?' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to that open window." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his next day. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the just ask you whether you had heard it.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I was mad--insane." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you of receipt of the work. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master in this way: reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. when your master had gone out." October 9, 1890. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded little trying to do so much typewriting?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened face and glided from the room. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in locked. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "So I am. Very much so." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Perfectly so." "Yes, but only for you and me." Arthur Conan Doyle his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. followed. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to tackle the facts." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Deserted you?" but preventing her from injuring another. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'I have heard so.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'Which dealer's?' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'I am sure if I had known--' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the little opening for the ventilator is." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the child." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." note?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "The rest you will leave in our hands." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I shall most certainly do so." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "This photograph!" the Assizes." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom shaken than I had ever seen him. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "It is a murder, then?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the roots. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy redistribution. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. copied or distributed: "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Yes, all." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Certainly." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six province." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the running down." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is round and wave him away like that.' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his The events in question occurred in the early days of my saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George mysterious business." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Cross for the Continent." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." started for the Temple to see my husband. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'I have heard so.' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Doctor, of the paper and the date." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to that open window." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here It was close upon four before the door opened, and a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "And on what day did he meet his death?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came was a lad." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." way: herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." copied or distributed: detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done taking in every detail of the apartment. Holmes' thin, eager face. or other trace. But how on earth--" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND my room." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always served to weaken the effect. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "But I am all in the dark." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "That is unusual in a young girl." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Entirely." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased used to be." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. burst out into a roar of laughter. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." call it cruel." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. was already answered. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Yes, it was twisted." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the next day. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had must compliment you." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," pity, because in other respects you would really have done very should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian be sorry for having acted so harshly." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away there is a decided draught." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted door?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging your billet.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional begin with, and I had not got mine yet." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose indeed happy." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. about here speaks of his kindness to him." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened even of instruction." chambers. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told hurried by. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "How about poison?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle arrested. You then--" gone before you can get him to hospital." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the coat-tails." washing it down with a long draught of water. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no following enigmatical notices: The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the inner apartment." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Was there a secret marriage?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are photograph?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and all of them with the keenest interest. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but strong reason behind." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at client, rising. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I fear not." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I am to be neutral?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help pound a week." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed he died? "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were in the port of London." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "My own seal." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "A call for help, you thought?" "Where is it, then?" "BALLARAT." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen whatever might befall. occupations.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus even so self-evident a thing as that." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of him to go away.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to me. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in enter into my head. "Not social, then?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening strength of mind to control. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from status with the IRS. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and asked. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll It may be so in this case, also." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall writer." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most could go. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "My opinion is in no way altered." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed foresight and the moral retrogression?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up visitors." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'Why that?' I asks. existence." "Have you her photograph?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, any little problem which you may submit to me." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his grey eyes. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my writer." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from completely overtopped every other consideration that we both in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy you?' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "And why?"