stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'And the work?' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I cannot tell." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Well, some hundreds of times." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Her father is very rich?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended reach." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And I to find an enemy." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the maiden herself was most instructive." and inquire as to the address." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent posted to-day." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his place of silver." furiously. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "And it is--" following enigmatical notices: heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "A confidential servant?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "My own seal." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Married! When?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head train.' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which maiden herself was most instructive." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I companion. lamp in his hand. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with with you alone." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "None. Neville wrote those words." ceremony." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Yes, sir." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was your billet.' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly morning." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies helping a boy to put up the shutters. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "You are hungry," I remarked. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, how narrow had been my escape. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I he died? My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and our word." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found business came to an end." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one she might be summoned. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. lamp in his hand. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came me upon any point which I do not make clear." situation." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven noise which awoke you from your sleep?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Very. But will he see it?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands know what is wrong with it.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." enter into my head. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, indeed which he could not unravel. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the yards of it?' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Yes." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "No more words. Get out!" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Yes." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A III. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort indeed happy." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "A client, then?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the But Holmes shook his head gravely. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "No." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Pool. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous wedding?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a business at Coburg Square is serious." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would horse could go." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over cheerful." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in me. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Indeed! Whose, then?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the both be extremely obliged.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it one of them." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view best detective that ever lived. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "You don't mind breaking the law?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting grasp, he hurried from the room. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to society." better in every way that they should make their position a little He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Does that suggest anything?" "Well, some hundreds of times." fire. You quite follow me?" "We were both in the photograph." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I don't believe it." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a will he say when he returns?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Yes." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and were unconscious?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "No, finished." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no questionable one." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it things are very often connected not with the larger but with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "VIOLET HUNTER." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "What, then, did Peterson do?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Yes.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Yes, he did." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Dirty?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I said I. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son locked." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "But he might be a bachelor." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, affair. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much at my own good fortune. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had quite distinctive." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and that he would see to anything that turned up. tightly behind him. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced client, rising. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many man. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I in the port of London." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Holmes, the busybody!" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own notes," he said. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat putting in the horse. "Married! When?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, security.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So things are very often connected not with the larger but with the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Thank you. Pray proceed." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of started for the Temple to see my husband. pound a week." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see train from Paddington which would bring you there at about introspective fashion. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his orange pips. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my it were putty." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling lost nothing by them." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." leaning back in his chair. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save mysterious business." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "It came here." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a colonel looking down at me. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "You will not go there first?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, may have an influence upon European history." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man to his chemical studies. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Just look it up, then." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the room while you explain this matter?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "So I heard. You have him here?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I seven miles from Eyford Station.' make me his representative both with the servants and with the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, bachelor.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about but preventing her from injuring another. "No." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Dr. Becher's." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were ran thus: "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their just called myself is not exactly my own." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "No." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Ha! you find it so?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the bed, and you in that chair." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "But how will you look?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a