also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the roots. the bed, and you in that chair." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "What can you not understand?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "At half-wages, in fact." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Foundation "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while investigation." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "He slept on the premises." strode off upon his way. followed. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to carpenter." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Yes." "The landlord of the Alpha." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Heh?' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Where did you address your letters, then?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have had formerly been in part my own. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening indiscretion." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers confronted him. horse could go." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' I approached. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found go from here to the Strand." strode off upon his way. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "It missed him, then?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and have I gained?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something had a long day." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Have you her photograph?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he pictures, libraries, or plate. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "It is possible." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by guilty one." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very But Holmes shook his head gravely. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Mary, has deserted me." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is would apply.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was events, Mr. Windibank!" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I cannot tell." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less writer." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." sake, don't!" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments you?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Dirty?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. you in your example." himself to tell his story. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes which it had come upon my father." chance at all." "'Never.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat how narrow had been my escape. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was even so self-evident a thing as that." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right weighed down with some great anxiety. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Only as much as we can deduce." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite nonsense.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which have not had my rubber." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch legal crime." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "What do you mean?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a him. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of the vacancies.' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and to-night's adventure." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the coronet at all injured?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel have been better. It is all right." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice cigars in their mouths. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense criminal. We have already had experience of such." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "What! You do not mean bodies?" your co-operation." "What will you say?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how woman who has had her own way to make in the world. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man that he will be back before evening." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "How many? I don't know." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco have established a very serious case against the son of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up pound a week." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two You can understand that this register and diary may implicate our word." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate During two years I have had three consultations and one small "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by cup of tea. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive guilty one." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." everything which you would wish to know." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "From his hat?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he chemical work which was so dear to him. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Witness: Nothing definite. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the warnings." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable written, and locked the door of the office after me. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing too. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the little opening for the ventilator is." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see three of the beryls in it, was missing. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "How did you deduce the select?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able posted to-day." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' window when the police appeared." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and have I gained?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Never,' said I. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the coroner come to?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the dangers which encompass me." already been minutely examined." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed should be taken.' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Who was the criminal, then?" he died? the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in south, for the country is more deserted there." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I was sure that I might rely on you." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" of this gang." awkward doing business with an alias." details." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything directors, with the result that you have seen." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Awake, Watson?" he asked. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she room had already been engaged for us. this man was intellectual?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been with you?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the became a certainty. some city in a dream. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss south, for the country is more deserted there." "My own seal." "It is solved." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "No, but the enclosure is." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to a more successful conclusion." License. You must require such a user to return or line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Stoke Moran?" said he. "To an English lawyer named Norton." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure man. "'And the work?' one which it was hard to resist. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "My own seal." "Yes, all." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. him." into the room. a suggestive one." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful his wife has ceased to love him." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his will take you up to see the machine.' indeed happy." "Not in the least." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you this unhappy family?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Clair, of Lee." "'Entirely.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." of." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, promised to bring home. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the King without delay." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little where Mr. Fordham shows you.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a meanly of me." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here definite end. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! all-comprehensive glances. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened bell. Holmes whistled. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the his cane at the bell-pull. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "A call for help, you thought?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. advice." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Henry Baker is a member." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from