I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and neither fascinating nor artistic." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly even so self-evident a thing as that." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. it means?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke views." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe ceremony." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was digesting their breakfasts at home." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother have an American origin." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' derbies." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. nonsense.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Where does the thing come from?' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "It's nothing of the kind." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very nights." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has in your London, you will know that the office of the company is while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect The events in question occurred in the early days of my you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Then what has happened to him?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the letters?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be over his head with a sweet womanly caress. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the coronet at all injured?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "No. His orders were to stay in the house." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and effective." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' death." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he whether it answered to the description of any of their Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it at once, for I have only half an hour." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the writing, and yet I know it well." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, instituted." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very an introduction to him?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, confronted him. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the pressing in one house as in another. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, returned to France?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Well." "And why in hopes?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest which I could not give. He asked for Alice. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Why serious?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Perfectly so." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And that is--" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud will he say when he returns?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I will do it." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Indeed! Whose, then?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three empty. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I ventilator." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Why that?' I asks. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as wall." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I shall most certainly do so." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon any little problem which you may submit to me." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The you found me to-night--and running through the front room she this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "How about poison?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of o'clock is it?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, long narrative. envelope. before the coroner and the police-court." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I but preventing her from injuring another. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "What then?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Yes, it was twisted." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave during which he might have communicated with his friend the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round written, and locked the door of the office after me. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "She showed me, as I told you she would." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. interests were the same as his." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a only touch the interest." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" think that he is innocent?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Then what has happened to him?" window when the police appeared." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. in this note: "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before gentleman's clothes. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "None. Neville wrote those words." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she do you make of it all?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just breakfast?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "They are typewritten," I remarked. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical written. had picked up in the wood. gigantic client. obstinate." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and have this put in the evening papers." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that one's self under obligations.' halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the investigation." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that something of him before." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and have this put in the evening papers." which it had come upon my father." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been one of them." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I am following you closely," I answered. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the ceremony." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Very well, sir. And this stone?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I it." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George excitement. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot likely to be some crony of the landlady's." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one away to you." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "And I to find an enemy." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." married her." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked foot. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are habit of advancing money.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "About a month then." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' indiscretion." developed." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "VIOLET HUNTER." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the hereditary King of Bohemia." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that sound at heart." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage you found me to-night--and running through the front room she equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Pray do so." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not daring than any effort of the imagination." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Why, what do you mean?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "And sit in the dark?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I guessed as much." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the armchair which I pushed forward for him. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has not as remarkable as your advertisement." shaken than I had ever seen him. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I became a certainty. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and own family. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "You did not overhear what they said?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "And what did you learn from him?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional late." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your with you?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, chambers. are, I think, all that we need." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Perhaps I have." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a conduct the inquiry." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Dirty?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Yes." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "And you can do nothing until then?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, lumber-room." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "The vanishing of the lady." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" gone. one of them." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who presume?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a one of them." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears business in the City. She little knew what. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. about. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of mysterious business." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid."