make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an when your master had gone out." opened the door, and slipped through. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that affection." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right during the last few years, and there are many noble families to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to-night." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I am following you closely," I answered. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I would pay ten." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass were wasted." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which mystery." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Look there!" said he. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "But how did you gain them?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "What then?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His second window is the one that I jumped from." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't to a light-house. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** rose-bushes. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was existence." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered dramatic, in fact." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It is true that I have been generally successful." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not of receipt of the work. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her asked. take the flies, but not before." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" round and wave him away like that.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Never to return." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was with her." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Henry Baker is a member." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in ways of our fellow-men." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to so.' as this. Pray let me have the details." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Look there!" said he. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Your sister is dead, then?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and effective." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the long narrative. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at your most interesting statement." lost nothing by them." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "And you thought he was pulled back?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had enter into my head. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I cannot imagine." "The landlord of the Alpha." "No." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, following enigmatical notices: we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we McCarthy's innocence. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "She showed me, as I told you she would." sparkled upon his finger. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took recall any case within my experience which looked at the first maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Why, it's a dummy," said he. any little problem which you may submit to me." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "No, finished." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture enter Dr. Roylott's room." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed could go. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "And is that all?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Then I do not see the point." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed suspect him." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears certainly do as you advise." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, new acquaintance to Baker Street. the side-table." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "BALLARAT." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in had formerly been in part my own. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to cheerful." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear fattened it expressly for you.' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of present." man. just called myself is not exactly my own." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying McCarthy." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger trifles." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had searched, without anything being found which could incriminate With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate to miss it." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "No more words. Get out!" morning." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was tension within him. infinite languor in his face. skylight. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager manager. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you lectures into a series of tales." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from pierced for earrings?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "It is solved." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of with the outside air!" as this. Pray let me have the details." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I McCarthy's innocence. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and glanced through. "No, my brougham is waiting." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Holmes. "Where is it, then?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of better grown goose." his face which made him a very different person to the round, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I you came in." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works were wasted." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons was a loud and authoritative tap. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Yes." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the article?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." me where it went to?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' said Mr. Holder. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their whereabouts. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "And how have you succeeded?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the driver. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably out of this horrible affair." "And it is--" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It certainly sounds feasible." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "To an English lawyer named Norton." chambers. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the paper in the air. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "What of the rat, then?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'Ten to two.' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Will you go?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I cannot tell." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources his fortune, and I went back to pa. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Oh, yes, easily." was used.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" quite distinctive." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or a little more before I quite committed myself. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case to have been novel and of interest." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Entirely." telegram would bring me down to your help." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Which are?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "So I am. Very much so." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six could gather together that I was able to avert another public harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life enough to aid us in our search." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I came to find a friend." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we straightened it out again. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm for and were ordered to this address. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "What! You do not mean bodies?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is as yours." think you a quite exceptional woman." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly married her." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "That is not always so easy." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco walking." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven lectures into a series of tales." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say nothing with him." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to that open window." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his The events in question occurred in the early days of my who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and wait." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the directly by questioning you." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Was the window open?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Well, some hundreds of times." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which