skylight. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather beyond words. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy your sleep?' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" man. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Clair, of Lee." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "And what did you see?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed place of silver." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Stoke Moran." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the Assizes." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." remarked. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his 1.F. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society once more to my work. DAMAGE. carried out of court." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his status with the IRS. For additional contact information: same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I will try. What is it?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the You want to know what became of those geese?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my extraordinary contortions. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself that you wished to speak to me?' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "None." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third sooner or later she must fall a victim. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and the whole place is in a blaze." and no precautions can guard against." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of test if we have an answer to our advertisement." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in man. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when You want to know what became of those geese?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "He is still with you, I presume?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them wedding?" to have been novel and of interest." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." introspective fashion. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the becomes even more simple." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." started for the Temple to see my husband. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its walking." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Tired-looking or fresh?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought you." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the DAMAGE. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and laid it on the table. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel ready to-morrow?' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some morning." one of the states of the Union." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am to affect your life." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "How are you getting on?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my now. It seems that there had been some informality about their business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. indeed happy." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without again, where I was soon asleep. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." beg that you will break it off." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "In the cells." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the call it cruel." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the pound a week." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could know what is wrong with it.' relief. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "But we can't all be." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I was mad--insane." "No, I am descending." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "So I heard. You have him here?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Quite so. She has her freedom." tension within him. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with one of the states of the Union." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." this Miss Turner." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish quick march!" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always lost his Christmas dinner." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and that he would see to anything that turned up. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my wanted for ourselves." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." 1.E.9. which we had just quitted. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged man. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was plantation.' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some placed his cuttings. rat could hardly pass through." "I cannot tell." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. these bleak autumnal evenings." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'Which dealer's?' not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, is a common subject for conversation. and looked back. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a this remarkable episode. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove you do it in twenty minutes!' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he unclasping of his long thin hands. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of have had none more fantastic than this." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to have been novel and of interest." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I should wish to." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Yes, but only for you and me." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "The gentleman I describe." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "A confidential servant?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the writing, and yet I know it well." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to bled considerably." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the inquest, and which are worth considering." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" followed. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' orange pips. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Ten will be early enough." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that locked. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry been with you?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "What can it mean?" I gasped. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no to his chemical studies. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "It is very clear." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Then you may be so with me." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would later, upon the night of May 2nd." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Where, indeed?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." was not a bird to be seen there. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his will take you up to see the machine.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said what do you think they found in the pockets?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "And help." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out 'I should be able to look after that for you.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the believe that I should never have any practice at all. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that standing smiling on the door-step. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his there!' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I warn you that they are very incomplete." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a as noiselessly as she had come. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is or other trace. But how on earth--" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "And it is--" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "That is easily got." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "And when will you call?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the a good hundred miles off by now." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was business at Coburg Square is serious." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "The Coroner: What do you mean? them present such singular features as the strange train of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips again, where I was soon asleep. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood