digesting their breakfasts at home." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Why did you beat the pavement?" introspective fashion. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "You have but to name it." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain secret." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear astonishment. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Has he come with you to-night?" business in the City. She little knew what. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not once more to my work. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "What then?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, felt the room to be a little close.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And I say east," said my patient. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "The landlord of the Alpha." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel to some other building. nights." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Yes." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "So I heard. You have him here?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, sake, don't!" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "But you would not advise me to refuse?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, were unconscious?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that you do it in twenty minutes!' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She despaired of." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, chambers. "I was afraid that you were engaged." matters immensely." horse could go." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "But the mystery?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'I have heard so.' with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I was mad--insane." "He said that you could solve anything." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in the dead of the night?' night.' said he. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Ha! you find it so?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your copied or distributed: "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all place, I think that there is good ground to think that the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the night.' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Yes, sir.' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking him. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her what is your own theory as to what took place?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well galvanised. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Yes, it was twisted." "We must have a cab." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here that there was nothing in it, after all." name is different." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, I shall continue with my miserable story. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the train.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. astonishment. "It must be recovered." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I cannot say that I have." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. wedding?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Yes. He waved his hands." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the be. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Stolen, then." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord in his power. "In which, sir?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "The Coroner: What do you mean? their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I say it is." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Not I." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "The murder was done with it." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I a good hundred miles off by now." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I cheerful." will be renamed. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "You think so, too?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A nice household for a young lady." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "That's no good." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose better grown goose." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Your presence might be invaluable." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk detective. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my it." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his murdered man." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did morning." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with http://gutenberg.net/license). is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was His smile broadened. foresight and the moral retrogression?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "That you are never beaten." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you a little more before I quite committed myself. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Yes." friends, not even his own brother. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "How did that help you?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. occurred." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "No." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But directors, with the result that you have seen." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Witness: I must still refuse. "To an English lawyer named Norton." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. infinite languor in his face. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining away in different directions, and I went off to make my own great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." with her." little adventures." "She told me to ask you." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "He said that you could solve anything." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "My Mary? Impossible!" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her said Mr. Holder. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Was she in good spirits?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary vanished into the darkness. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" is acting for the best. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and over with notes and figures. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was a little more before I quite committed myself. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and no precautions can guard against." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the bottom.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." there when the Rucastles went away." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "10th. John Swain cleared. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the very letters. But what is this written above them?' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt make me his representative both with the servants and with the colour had been driven from his face. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my dates and names. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I have come for advice." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." about. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the in the hope of finding them." death." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Never." throat." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm wall." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and that he would see to anything that turned up. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them all-comprehensive glances. "That is possible." presume?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were one else, I think." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with I nodded again. learned something! Where are the gems?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their business in the City. She little knew what. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I was lame." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not 'please.'" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never was a perfect sample of the class. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "You did not overhear what they said?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in you in your example." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to asked. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and pictures, libraries, or plate. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Were they all fastened this morning?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business less than 26s. 4d. heavily into it. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "And how did you find out?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be were new raised from a basin. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my fact, we may call it conclusive." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and a shock of very red hair. eavesdroppers?' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each which should have the effect of calling the attention of the important." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you