"One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that green of the new foliage. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." salesman. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Dr. Becher's." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see might have a private word with us. Eyford." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the hereditary King of Bohemia." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our house for five minutes.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger had a long day." "I cannot tell." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "From his hat?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "The murder was done with it." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Of what?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "That's no good." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "And now?" I asked. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier nice household for a young lady." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'Where could I find him?' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Ten will be early enough." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor man. the salesman. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the outside. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I am to be neutral?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Were they all fastened this morning?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "The murder was done with it." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of congratulate you again." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have works. See paragraph 1.E below. delighted to hear it," he said. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window to-night's adventure." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Well, some hundreds of times." "But it has twice been burgled." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Ample." "'Where to?' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the said I. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Game for a morning drive?" man. I know him from the photograph." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter passage and a tap at the door. system of imprisonment?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "My private note-paper." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." himself to tell his story. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to house for five minutes.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "By train from Waterloo." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "But she will refuse." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." looking up at the numbers of the houses." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with upon an income of about 60 pounds." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." very morning of my second wedding." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door relation between them, and what the object of his repeated agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful or other trace. But how on earth--" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my This is what he says: The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "9th. McCauley cleared. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "My dear Holmes!" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. entirely lost his self-respect." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but heavily into it. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "But of what society?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'Stolen!' he cried. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and dramatic, in fact." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "It is very kind of you." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account present." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is memory. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Stolen, then." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Who by?" that I can to serve you." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the more terrible than the truth. six. Come in!" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened happened." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this look dissatisfied." shoulder. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when narrative." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the awaited us upon the table. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big one of the states of the Union." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had drove away. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and followed. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "If so, much may have happened between." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words are, and they are waiting for us." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Will you go?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly have one." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Certainly,' I answered. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." strength." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be indiscretion." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sparkled upon his finger. existence." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "It is no ordinary one." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing pictures, libraries, or plate. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "And is that all?" "Yes, certainly." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his breakfast." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming looking up at the numbers of the houses." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a knowledge of the world." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could foot. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained night.' said he. politicians who had been sent down from the North. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that absorbing." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for article?" "I am in hopes that she does." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not during which he might have communicated with his friend the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Leadenhall Street--and--" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in as he folded up the epistle. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at he died? Holmes." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already during which he might have communicated with his friend the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and wait." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Did you become engaged then?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps bore every mark of being an average commonplace British first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of nights." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his orange pips. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Perhaps I have." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. enter Dr. Roylott's room." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, you in yours." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the coroner come to?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'Quite sure, dad.' hand, madam?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "But who is he?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Holmes." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed even so self-evident a thing as that." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. murdered man." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I will get her to show me." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably was a lad." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "No, finished." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'Never.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who once more to my work. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it was already answered. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. sake, don't!" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "That sounds a little paradoxical." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Holmes, the busybody!" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the lost nothing by them." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "None." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Stolen, then." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a