betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Texas, I think." most interesting one." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to a light-house. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Lee, in the county of Kent." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "But what harm can there be in that?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Can I be of assistance?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Well, but China?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon instincts rose up against that laugh. upon a handsome competence. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I guessed as much." "I have seen the police." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. easy-going way." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying writing, and yet I know it well." His smile broadened. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Certainly." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Stolen, then." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the nice household for a young lady." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were passage and a tap at the door. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady too. "And how have you succeeded?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective certainly not very gracious." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid pressing in one house as in another. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during thirty. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I that he will be back before evening." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project persecution?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "I do." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both an introduction to him?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of note-paper. It read in this fashion: home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Perfectly so." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" would then never go into court at all." "That is it on the dressing-table." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he companion imperturbably. "Nothing." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger was used.' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, were wasted." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "By no means." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'Certainly not.' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so been deceived." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this that you can jump it.' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "My dear Holmes!" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I shall be delighted." and a shock of very red hair. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I cannot tell." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the chambers. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to ways of our fellow-men." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and no precautions can guard against." married her." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle cup of tea. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the cigars in their mouths. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, not personally threatened." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Where did he live, then?" "And how in the world did you find them?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that a little more before I quite committed myself. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not used to be." looking up at the numbers of the houses." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out up this clue while it is still hot." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Yes." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would and looked back. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." residence of the great financier. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of shaken than I had ever seen him. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; towards the blaze. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one out." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the him and tried to hold him back. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking miles off. returned to France?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Dirty?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and is so. I know all about McCarthy." Sholtos." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each exactly what you advise." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "What! Had he lost his wife?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I already been minutely examined." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Sutherland?" in my life." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "My dear Holmes!" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his throat." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" is," said he presently: "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but congenial hunt. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Certainly, madam." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that read over the extraordinary announcement. house for five minutes.' closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close had died away into the silence from which it rose. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." mysterious end." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and I shall be with you presently." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Yes, but only for you and me." "Ah!" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged American. Then who could this American be, and why should he thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, together. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "By no means." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "He is still with you, I presume?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for too. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and the whole place is in a blaze." page at http://pglaf.org one which it was hard to resist. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "And why in hopes?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to just ask you whether you had heard it.' his face which made him a very different person to the round, "And it is--" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Certainly." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was bachelor.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his think, you have already met." "Well, but China?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "On your arm?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing conclusions. "Of what day?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See there was no need for father to know." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he bird of prey. side. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his forebodings. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cause to be." "But not more so than I to find you." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a best detective that ever lived. place of silver." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it ill-usage at the hands of fortune. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of mystery." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I digesting their breakfasts at home." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Stolen, then." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND bore every mark of being an average commonplace British transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Pray do so." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. that you can jump it.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been interests were the same as his." "How do you know, then?" and the church but not where the lady lived." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is was keenly on my guard against him. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Precisely." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers sneer upon his pale face. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in arrested. You then--" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The a few minutes he said that it would be all right. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen neither fascinating nor artistic." "Of what?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it