thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "About a month then." wedding?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not that I am arrested." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as awkward doing business with an alias." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had address. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the tapping his fingers upon the table. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "What! You do not mean bodies?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of man. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by your only hope of safety." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "It is very kind of you." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital served to weaken the effect. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "So I heard. You have him here?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Cross for the Continent." "Yes." his wife has ceased to love him." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'About the same.' it." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the roots. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Was your sister dressed?" in a friendly supper." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said are windows in it, of course?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though promised to bring home. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they three fields round his house, and there he would take his bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we voice, changing her seat as requested. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father your only hope of safety." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some quickly through a disagreeable task. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past was keenly on my guard against him. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations The events in question occurred in the early days of my to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." undoubtedly my uncle's." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the inquest, and which are worth considering." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "What is it?" "Absolutely?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes with her." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes, he did." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of stood on the top of it. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the as he folded up the epistle. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom looking up at the numbers of the houses." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while infinite languor in his face. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded examine." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, money should be paid at once.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "My Mary? Impossible!" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings third from London." "But we can't all be." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." is so. I know all about McCarthy." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had to some other building. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Nearly eleven." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions felt the room to be a little close.' his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Street. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Dr. Becher's." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is himself. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more served to weaken the effect. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it cigars in the box." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Edgeware Road. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been appeared upon the scene." of receipt of the work. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire observed. if she died from some sudden fright." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because a room. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" at my own good fortune. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner official police." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business McCarthy's innocence. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I But Holmes shook his head gravely. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Then what has happened to him?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. money should be paid at once.' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Arthur Conan Doyle and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the Assizes." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "By no means." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. you?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my or other trace. But how on earth--" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. unprofitable." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done nice household for a young lady." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered papers." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the confronted him. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "He is still with you, I presume?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the away to you." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with breakfast." indiscretion." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. late." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. hurried away. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I have a cab outside." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, always that they were such commands as a lady might with that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so had no one to advise her at such a crisis." fashion which was peculiar to him. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Is he quiet?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "What are they?" be best to do. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the problems help me to do so." "By no means." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with frightened eyes at his accuser. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Then I do not see the point." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, never came back." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the dangers which encompass me." upon the sideboard." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable you." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to you in yours." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a over with notes and figures. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "No, my brougham is waiting." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her himself in a perplexing position. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small acted in my house last night?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "No sign of it?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Why? What do you mean?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the matter." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden beyond words. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Pool. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue crowd. "Then what has happened to him?" the loss of it. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a pierced for earrings?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. remarked. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of note-paper. It read in this fashion: sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east man. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I of his shoulders. here and I will read it to you: our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set during which he might have communicated with his friend the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Then what has happened to him?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." have one." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had depend upon your compliance." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no closing the door. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "The rest you will leave in our hands." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and with the outside air!" she might be summoned. and looked back. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And why?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "No, finished." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" breakfast." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "And how did you verify them?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton handed it to him. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay works. See paragraph 1.E below. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such voice. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been would apply.' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the have an American origin." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "To an English lawyer named Norton." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "And what did you see?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Why did you beat the pavement?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and is so. I know all about McCarthy." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Certainly, madam." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through six. Come in!" thin, with a long, sharp nose?"