"'Yes, it was gone.' "'It is locked up,' I answered. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to you want, then?' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your a suggestive one." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the following enigmatical notices: "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I promise," said Holmes. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes." window when the police appeared." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my which are rolled in Rotterdam." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my hard-headed British jury." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was time." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long figure." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and it need not interfere very much with one's other there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do me upon any point which I do not make clear." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Do you know him?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to miss it." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from him nearly every evening." "There are none." "That was it, sir." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "No legal papers or certificates?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge confronted him. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of this gang." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow bled considerably." Literary Archive Foundation from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. of the vacancies.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was served to weaken the effect. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of as yours." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Yes, but only for you and me." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Not yet." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the fire. You quite follow me?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set His name is Francis Prosper." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Who was the criminal, then?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging horse could go." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." them?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and have not had my rubber." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If his face which made him a very different person to the round, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the inquest, and which are worth considering." "What?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Never,' said I. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "What can you not understand?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, you want, then?' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted hurried by. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise forbidden door. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So for securing the situation." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Holmes' thin, eager face. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Quite sure, dad.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what must be when I saw the door open.' "Nothing." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that secret." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "No." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where province." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I have come for advice." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Dirty?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "But it has twice been burgled." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this might have a private word with us. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. night.' said he. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Well, but China?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally in this way: The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double London for the present?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which morning." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a burst out into a roar of laughter. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Where does the thing come from?' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong row." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "But it has twice been burgled." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. do.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project orange pips. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a be sorry for having acted so harshly." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "You think so, too?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his there were one or two details which were new to me. But the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I was mad--insane." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, father's young wife. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk tail." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a as he remarks, very much against the son." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken advice." gbnewby@pglaf.org firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary over his head with a sweet womanly caress. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life man. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler of Fenchurch Street." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "From his hat?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of there is a decided draught." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an your Highness to the police-station?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions stalked out of the room. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'Very good.' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal you." instincts rose up against that laugh. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought straighten it?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite envelope. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "VIOLET HUNTER." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still been shamefully used." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him on in his house." any." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I am in hopes that she does." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, too. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he always that they were such commands as a lady might with my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. with her." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." room?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to his chemical studies. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "In answer to an advertisement." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "But his lameness?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" to take care of herself." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "'Then let me do so?' "Where, then, is my wife?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Your presence might be invaluable." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" as yours." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the companion imperturbably. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, do.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been friend's singular character. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, fact, we may call it conclusive." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely article?" outside. "But you can know nothing of this?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." pressing in one house as in another. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to highroad, where all traces were lost. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the http://www.gutenberg.net the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could points to suicide?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'And what salary do you ask?' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet with some details as to your case." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared green of the new foliage. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year on re-entering her father's house?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, obstinate." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'Where to?' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. is now desirous of getting those letters back." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was