"I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "So I have heard." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Perfectly so." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Very good.' I. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "My dear Holmes!" round and wave him away like that.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "None." "It is very clear." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It suggested at once that there must be a communication between the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is from you?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught bell. Holmes whistled. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to indeed happy." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Always." notes," he said. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight prisoner's face. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the Red-headed League." cigars in their mouths. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous ago." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Can I be of assistance?" married her." which are rolled in Rotterdam." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you ran thus: "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw gbnewby@pglaf.org "She will not sell." "'In my own bureau.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "None." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon are, I think, all that we need." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Here?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal in him." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside mysterious business." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would ill-usage at the hands of fortune. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Why, what do you mean?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very few hundred pounds.' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold soul! here is her carriage at the door." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was during the last few years, and there are many noble families to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the stones. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's think that any burglar could have done. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and least a most suspicious remark." bare slabs of marble. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same both be extremely obliged.' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties galvanised. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "And leave your case unfinished?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'You doubt its value?' he asked. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the house with me." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I would give my fortune to have them back." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for that you saw all that I did." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him used to be." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each whatever might befall. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Yes." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. questionable one." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so said he. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "And you thought he was pulled back?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on hardly wander." strode off upon his way. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our had formerly been in part my own. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "One of his hands." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a weary and pale-looking. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I never have." bird of prey. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper client, rising. "I am following you closely," I answered. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "What then?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "In the cells." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Oh, yes, easily." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in there!' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be him. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Yes, sir." "Your sister is dead, then?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and call you and give you the chance." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some nonsense.' side. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders infinite languor in his face. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the night.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my him to go away.' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Thank you. And your address?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive works. See paragraph 1.E below. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." you?' "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera or in danger--" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is dates and names. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage danger is over." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower shag which I had seen upon the previous night. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my society." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the laugh and put his lips to my ear. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the more solid." "I cannot imagine." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I guessed as much." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called think that he is innocent?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully peculiar to him. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of For additional contact information: table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. true." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I answered that I had not. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the so-precious time, but come!' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I promise," said Holmes. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "At half-wages, in fact." lectures into a series of tales." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "She showed me, as I told you she would." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. legal crime." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, business matters.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "One?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they matter." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am cigar and let me expound." something of him before." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "And Miss Sutherland?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "None." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Ten will be early enough." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was manager. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from you." to some other building. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the beg that you will break it off." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my was a perfect sample of the class. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of receipt of the work. province." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an spark where all is dark to me." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "The decline of his fortunes, then?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which newspaper selections." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A 1.F. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was bearing upon the case." "And how did you find out?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Then, as to money?" did not hear it also.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "You heard nothing yourself last night?" attention." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "What will you do, then?" "But your client--" "I cannot say that I have." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was yards of it?' carried out of court." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns bird I ate is country bred." already referred to. nonsense.' hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And now?" He raised his hand. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, upon the white wrist. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship morning." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "There is the writing." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send crime. strength." grasp, he hurried from the room. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I row." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "A client, then?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. goes." "Yes." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United companion. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and my little problems." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something