same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always works. me. You must get home instantly and act." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by that you wished to speak to me?' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That politicians who had been sent down from the North. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the himself to hunt down. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, spark where all is dark to me." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." opened the door, and slipped through. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the death." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." shoulder. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hands. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Then he might have called to you?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Did he not advertise?" chemical work which was so dear to him. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a dead, shall be safe with us." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." meanly of me." really the only notable feature about the thing." events, Mr. Windibank!" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. in. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual do." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the running down." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be affection." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too any." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged discontent upon his features. "'And what salary do you ask?' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my question," said Holmes, smiling. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "But he might be a bachelor." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I careless servant girl?" "He is still with you, I presume?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the heavily into it. "My dear Holmes!" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." to have that photograph." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' constraint." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that you saw all that I did." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a pierced for earrings?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City room?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." rooms." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when one else, I think." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" see a sister of mine apply for." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Certainly not. But why?' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and all of them with the keenest interest. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "At half-wages, in fact." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Awake, Watson?" he asked. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. it." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's that the gas is not laid on in his house?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "No, but the enclosure is." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Eyford at 11:15.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." it right.' "And I say east," said my patient. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very she slowly sank and died without having recovered her I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at yards of it?' present." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and round and wave him away like that.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their populous neighbourhood." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning tension within him. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Just look it up, then." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Precisely." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the general public were present, then?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was some city in a dream. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Stoke Moran?" said he. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He nonsense.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Foundation papers must be those that are destroyed.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Yes, certainly." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the ago." "To ruin me." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Holmes' thin, eager face. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." as noiselessly as she had come. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I think that it is very probable." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? that threaten you." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without call for protection in the marriage market, for the present remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "By no means." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "And what did you see?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in other lovers by making love himself." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism distinguish the words: to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the very letters. But what is this written above them?' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the father's young wife. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of campaign. just called myself is not exactly my own." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. mystery." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the that threaten you." cause to be." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned which we had just quitted. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "You saw the ventilator, too?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring light and attacked it." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. before, for it was considerably after midnight. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the south-west, I see." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a my room." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of floor. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a depend upon my doing so.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I will get her to show me." was a lad." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Nearly eleven." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to have been novel and of interest." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in darkness. the ceiling. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would said Mr. Holder. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At What do you deduce from it?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "No legal papers or certificates?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double undoubtedly my uncle's." It may be so in this case, also." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch habit of advancing money.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." here and I will read it to you: floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your acquaintance?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us him and tried to hold him back. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered get the tickets." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the written, and locked the door of the office after me. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such out." depend upon your compliance." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Yes, that is the Crown." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is next day. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up simple cases which are so extremely difficult." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable next day. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Farm upon the left." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yes." province." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" miles off. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce future lives." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Well, it is a possible supposition." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I nodded again. "How did that help you?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Where did you address your letters, then?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "The knees of his trousers." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." to-night." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I where she found matters as described by the last witness. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to promised to bring home. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "And why?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not III. upon an income of about 60 pounds." voice. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with such person." note?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "It missed him, then?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I see many objections to any such theory." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. to have that photograph." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Upon what point?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' started for the Temple to see my husband. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, this remarkable episode. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my former friend and companion. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm present." "Yes." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three there is a decided draught." "And that is--" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a over here." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "You did not overhear what they said?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is now. I fear that you have felt the draught.'