I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking fuss that is made over them." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my affair. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, an introduction to him?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their colour had been driven from his face. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that of the vacancies.' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "But how will you look?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Yes, sir." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened late." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon an introduction to him?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. awaited us upon the table. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Yes, at the mines." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." there in twenty minutes." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody pound a week." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, are windows in it, of course?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." gentleman's clothes. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "But how did you gain them?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled in the port of London." investigation." "Yes." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Dr. Gregory B. Newby rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Where, then?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "How many? I don't know." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "That is easily got." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign woven round him. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I shall most certainly do so." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." yet." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "No sign of it?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young events, Mr. Windibank!" I am not easy in my mind about them." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a trying to your nerves." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Stolen!' he cried. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Surrey." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "We have tried and failed." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. row." "I am following you closely," I answered. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "A call for help, you thought?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'No, I know no one in these parts.' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I am about to be married." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. fled together." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." said he. during that time.' is worth.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible sooner or later she must fall a victim. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and effective." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress room. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest soul! here is her carriage at the door." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I will try. What is it?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning here." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of said he. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. obstinate." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and that he would see to anything that turned up. companion quietly. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and a shock of very red hair. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "But you have hopes?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and laid it on the table. everything which you would wish to know." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. look dissatisfied." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this with you alone." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Yes, at the mines." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "It looks newer than the other things?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Yes." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would nonsense.' the general public were present, then?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "You will not go there first?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly your Highness to the police-station?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some appeal." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the stepfather?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but cigars in the box." very old mansion. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "You were travelling in the States?" "Here?" "Yes?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in a very precise fashion." he died? "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. tail." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the stable lane now." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the me have 200 pounds?' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & neither fascinating nor artistic." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Well?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common as the one I chose?' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully photograph?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand his face. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I have solved it." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the station." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I never have." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" depend upon your compliance." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Precisely so. But how--" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, he. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. evidence," I remarked. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer society." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the allusion to a rat. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its if only as a check to my own memory." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all his fortune, and I went back to pa. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Which surely he restored to their owner?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that evidence," I remarked. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had you." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed front of me. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help or in danger--" "Always." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Look there!" said he. "'Stolen!' he cried. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." putting in the horse. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a there is a decided draught." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every question. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return this man was intellectual?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the that he has suffered." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our she might be summoned. speckled band?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how keep the flames under. "One?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to where he stood hid behind the curtain. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the coroner come to?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "No, I had a dozen." "But of what society?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "In which, sir?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think good-night and bustled off upon her way. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of morning." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Oh, fresh and glossy." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming I shall communicate with you." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, call you and give you the chance." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Well." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune of." the loss of it. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "But it has twice been burgled." "Then how many are there?" this remarkable episode. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the residence of the great financier. matter." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no