"Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." awaited us upon the table. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'In my own bureau.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house question you as to those details which seem to me to be most it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could quick march!" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do again, where I was soon asleep. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for it." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help tapping his fingers upon the table. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "How did that help you?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of room?" I shall communicate with you." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "It is possible." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in your own bird, so if you wish--" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I cannot as yet see any connection." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far of his shoulders. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "How often?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle without a word or a look. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Absolutely?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past It was close upon four before the door opened, and a started for the Temple to see my husband. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing maiden herself was most instructive." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes. He waved his hands." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, place of silver." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Where did you address your letters, then?" to-night?' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will allusion to a rat. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, friend's singular character. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'How far from the body?' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I door?" way in everything. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and capable of preserving a secret.' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I think that I could be of assistance to you." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are had a long day." to me. main points of my analysis." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped a very grave face. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I up this clue while it is still hot." "That is not always so easy." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the that threaten you." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "My dear Holmes!" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman became a certainty. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for papers on the sundial.'" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you soul! here is her carriage at the door." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who letters?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious legal crime." "How did that help you?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it digesting their breakfasts at home." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Ah!" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Dirty?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the felt the room to be a little close.' all-comprehensive glances. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations for its centre. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that telegram would bring me down to your help." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the daring than any effort of the imagination." opened the door, and slipped through. "Where, then?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "How did you trace it, then?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I held the little printed slip to the light. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Yes, sir." results." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he fashion which was peculiar to him. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Where, then?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment directly by questioning you." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do think that any burglar could have done. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from sneer upon his pale face. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve writing, and yet I know it well." "'Ample.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been interests were the same as his." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, The events in question occurred in the early days of my vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in writer." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "To an end?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "And what then?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her both be extremely obliged.' as he remarks, very much against the son." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "What of the rat, then?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the bed, and you in that chair." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that look dissatisfied." of a light. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this forebodings. should be taken.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now miles off. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Just look it up, then." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country digesting their breakfasts at home." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I strong and stiff." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as bled considerably." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, that I can to serve you." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "No bad?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one brain must have something in it." "Married! When?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest once more. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the inner apartment." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be question. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger I. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a outsides of the windows. both be extremely obliged.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, trifles." you." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his his face which made him a very different person to the round, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of light and attacked it." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the so-precious time, but come!' wedding?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely learned something! Where are the gems?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Cross for the Continent." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found weighed down with some great anxiety. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at followed. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as together. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "No. What a strange idea!" business." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" trying to your nerves." "Nothing." Gutenberg-tm License. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows jewels which you have stolen?' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It morning." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of six. Come in!" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike this poor creature." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, served to weaken the effect. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very all that?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside impression behind it as though a window had gently closed sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND you give your casting vote to?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "And did you observe any change in her then?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar and inquire as to the address." served to weaken the effect. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes, there are nearly always some there." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" in a very precise fashion." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "You horrify me." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. presented more singular features than that which was associated bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from for the market.' bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the side-table." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Always." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "He slept on the premises." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off hour?' "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my or in danger--" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to intrusion of other matters." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you you."