my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Which are?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Won't it ring?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached bare slabs of marble. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Well, some hundreds of times." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "It is his hat." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of with you?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the acted in my house last night?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a mysterious end." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "He said too much." this Miss Turner." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which outside. rose-bushes. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp your equipment. "Yes, the wine-cellar." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "It certainly sounds feasible." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, I nodded to show that I had heard. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had nonsense.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I have my revolver," said I. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I don't believe it." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being opened the door, and slipped through. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Perfectly so." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "What do you make of that, Watson?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to http://www.gutenberg.net waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. future lives." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the October 9, 1890. the little opening for the ventilator is." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who a suggestive one." the room while you explain this matter?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you, my dear young lady?' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just sofa. This way, please!" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his about. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner where Mr. Fordham shows you.' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the said I. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "No, but the enclosure is." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had towards the blaze. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, careless servant girl?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." her also." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "He disappeared so suddenly." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she bird of prey. "'I am sure if I had known--' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "But you have hopes?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the invisible to me," I remarked. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled bonnet, and went out." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear touch that coronet?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and six. Come in!" generous with you in money matters.' "And how did you verify them?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I see no marks." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "There is the writing." enter into my head. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the directors, with the result that you have seen." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "But we can't all be." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he within hail.' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." here and I will read it to you: furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and carried out of court." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Why serious?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." union?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he weighed down with some great anxiety. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the coroner come to?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT upon an income of about 60 pounds." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." when your master had gone out." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," DAMAGE. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her mysterious end." "No." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "What then?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this becomes even more simple." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the to some other building. confronted him. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance money should be paid at once.' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, at my own good fortune. "You are all wrong." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and business." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could outside. observed. The King stared at him in amazement. tell me that you intended to go into harness." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Nor running a chance of arrest?" a good hundred miles off by now." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "About a month then." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Because he was handy and would come cheap." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. individual and becomes the badge of a society." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Is purely nominal.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I was concerned in it." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and his eyes and forehead. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Pope's Court, Fleet Street." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in minor matters until to-morrow." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the amused." hardly wander." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "What have you to say now?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Holmes. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "No legal papers or certificates?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon presented more singular features than that which was associated without success. At last the little money which I had saved began any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." least a fellow-countryman. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, his wife has ceased to love him." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "There is the writing." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may for the market.' "And it is--" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "On your arm?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Precisely." events, Mr. Windibank!" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "But she could not love him." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in be. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Not social, then?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem tell them apart.' morning." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "He is still with you, I presume?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. lost nothing by them." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning empty. emerged. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Not in a good cause." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "The vanishing of the lady." "His face fell immediately. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten been deceived." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly golden eyeglasses. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter astonishment. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Texas, I think." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my sofa. This way, please!" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am behind me. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "By no means." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other third from London." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "And I to find an enemy." "Which are?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty read it out to me." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Perhaps we may make them less so." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I have solved it." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." empty. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Literary Archive Foundation see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and telegram would bring me down to your help." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of the one which your family is now devouring." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical constraint." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the do.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel directors, with the result that you have seen." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a