whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the stones. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. see a sister of mine apply for." hour?' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." during which he might have communicated with his friend the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Clair, of Lee." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "A confidential servant?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Did your wife hear all this?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and have this put in the evening papers." one's self under obligations.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire bonnet, and went out." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Oh, fresh and glossy." that threaten you." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the late." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, nights." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Where, indeed?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. lost his Christmas dinner." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Then you may be so with me." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of this poor creature." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of go back?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" what I may call a really hard day's work." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life room?" and your relations to her." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I should wish to." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, in him." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "When did she vanish, then?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate about here speaks of his kindness to him." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Literary Archive Foundation "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Absolutely none." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, was used.' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a was a perfect sample of the class. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's lost his Christmas dinner." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Perhaps we may make them less so." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the of the vacancies.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Was she in good spirits?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said careless servant girl?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Yes." "Then I am your man." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy then?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes have one." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "BALLARAT." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which had this final quarrel? "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Perfectly so." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the imbecility!" he cried. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "No more words. Get out!" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Witness: I must still refuse. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Why that?' I asks. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the outside." as the one I chose?' bird of prey. morning." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From be. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Yes, at the mines." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may garden below. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Yes." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small that I can to serve you." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "You have carte blanche." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight which our visitor detailed to us. "The King of Scandinavia." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "At the wedding breakfast." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the 'please.'" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little maiden herself was most instructive." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "And leave your case unfinished?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his not personally threatened." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, she used." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It missed him, then?" "He might." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "How do you know, then?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be posted to-day." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a you in your example." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must business came to an end." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man ceremony." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a acquaintance?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "None." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I am not easy in my mind about them." should be taken.' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Perhaps I have." fishes. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Your presence might be invaluable." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite your sleep?' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. which we had just quitted. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his comes from the middle window." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Not yet." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. him!" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and could not have written that. It is the German who is so neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You were travelling in the States?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You horrify me." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking unprecedented a position." carriage. It was a chestnut." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the quite distinctive." what these perils are?" do.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I was concerned in it." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Certainly,' I answered. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "He is dead," cried several voices. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian careless servant girl?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life which it had come upon my father." "Yes." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Holmes." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Well, but China?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it what I may call a really hard day's work." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Very much so." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we breakfast?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Well, some hundreds of times." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." to-night." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But how?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of Mr. Rucastle's." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is handed it to him. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Of Friday, June 19th." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." who was a member of your goose club." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' way in everything. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Witness: I must still refuse. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His was a loud and authoritative tap. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action late!' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. business in the City. She little knew what. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the coroner's jury." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "But I have heard all that you have heard." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the at home. corner of the building. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the chamber." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Two days later this same performance was gone through under frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. foot. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that secret." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "No sign of it?" such attractions and accomplishments?' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully confronted him. "Where is it, then?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "What! You do not mean bodies?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and could go. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his plantation.' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who gigantic client. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little whereabouts. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to back into the street. other lovers by making love himself." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no matter." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "But how?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My triumphant cloud from his cigarette. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "We must sit without light. He would see it through the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the warnings."