me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Holmes. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Entirely." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until footfalls from the street. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which II. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. hand, madam?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the had died away into the silence from which it rose. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black himself to hunt down. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should question," said Holmes, smiling. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate you in your example." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her as yours." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "What will you say?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "My opinion is in no way altered." danger is over." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." to tell." "But of what society?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know outside. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, better grown goose." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Her father is very rich?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Will you go?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Nothing." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Why, what do you mean?" garden below. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'In my own bureau.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer most interesting one." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And how did he make his money?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "His face fell immediately. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'I have heard so.' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "My opinion is in no way altered." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had morning." "Where is it, then?" "I am all attention, madam." national property. I was determined that the law should have its intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "No." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Yesterday." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now you in yours." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'Stolen!' he cried. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "On your arm?" which it had come upon my father." third from London." "I will try. What is it?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering mystery." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the date of his supposed suicide." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I was mad--insane." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no place no limit on the sum I may draw." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to tell them apart.' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of lectures into a series of tales." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. than to us. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Married! When?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there foresight and the moral retrogression?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen evidence," I remarked. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Then I do not see the point." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I would give my fortune to have them back." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; have been better. It is all right." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was asked with his eyes open. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the running down." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on province." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. fat-encircled eyes. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the looking up at the numbers of the houses." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call eavesdroppers?' thirty. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of Fenchurch Street." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "No sign of it?" bell. Holmes whistled. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such begun to whiten, even as mine has." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Not I." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. enter into my head. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. better grown goose." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Very murderous indeed." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will hurried away. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I was afraid that you were engaged." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "You think that he is dead?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at guilty parties." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ in the dead of the night?' "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a do you make of it all?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "My stepfather's business papers." galvanised. the general public were present, then?" giving me time to thank him. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive trifles." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. gigantic client. galvanised. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "You have carte blanche." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I think that it is very probable." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds figure." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and opened the door, and slipped through. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but fish-monger and a tide-waiter." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from discontent upon his features. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which business matters.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though together. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and back alive. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front whole matter to your consideration." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I came to find a friend." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "The King of Scandinavia." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "It was an hour's good drive." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Sholtos." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a prepare for the new role I have to play." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." delirious. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door murdered man." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Nothing?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I warn you that they are very incomplete." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she chambers. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Street. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'Most admirably.' third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fish-monger and a tide-waiter." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' During two years I have had three consultations and one small he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I answered that I had not. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on your bag." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many know what is wrong with it.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire,