Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "ARAT," I read. "Why, what do you mean?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I say that I have solved it." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang hard-headed British jury." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. coat-tails." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic tear off another piece?' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark out." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "ARAT," I read. him." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Get out!" said he. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Have you good authority for what you say?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all them, and came down just as you departed. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other fatally injured? preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" husband's writing, madam." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I with her." that he has suffered." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the very morning of the wedding." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely there." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a with you?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my o'clock is it?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America one or two very singular points about this room. For example, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Well, but China?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the sound at heart." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to some other building. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they you, my dear young lady?' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the furiously. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I think that it is very probable." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can have got?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing go from here to the Strand." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of might help us?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when time." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more away into the river." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "But how?" "How about poison?" lectures into a series of tales." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is evidence," I remarked. "Never." four million human beings all jostling each other within the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Can I be of assistance?" "How about poison?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let excitement. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, money should be paid at once.' between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'Certainly not. But why?' "Very murderous indeed." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest people don't know." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! to that open window." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "She walked into the breakfast-room." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Which are?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own little adventures." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "A thing like a cleaver," said he. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Pope's Court, Fleet Street." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I this poor creature." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." said I. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Can I be of assistance?" "But what will you do?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my strength in the others." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her particular state visit http://pglaf.org rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "It is a murder, then?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." spark where all is dark to me." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Was she in good spirits?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should derbies." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "And you don't know his address?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and together. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." spare." "A confidential servant?" answer." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Well?" "None." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Stoke Moran?" said he. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'I have already given you my word.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I know where it is." the loss of it. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and writers could invent nothing more crude." true." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on mystery!" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the once more for Briony Lodge. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for is so. I know all about McCarthy." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not visitors." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor there." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Serpentine Avenue. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was shining brightly. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of matter." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" which was all perfectly true. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Mary, has deserted me." "'You cannot say what it was?' attention." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was neither fascinating nor artistic." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." bird I ate is country bred." door?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his existence." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and generous with you in money matters.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "How did you deduce the select?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from crime. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who as he remarks, very much against the son." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** for and were ordered to this address. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was system of imprisonment?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Texas, I think." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Is he quiet?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open wife's character?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide sparkled upon his finger. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." he bowed and left the room without another word. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hurried away. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look that threaten you." empty. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact gone before you can get him to hospital." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "So it appears." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Does that suggest anything?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his this truth that in these little records of our cases which you very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do rooms." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Tired-looking or fresh?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" flock.' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all his cane at the bell-pull. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "It came here." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to over here." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the This is what he says: face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he there when the Rucastles went away." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to a more successful conclusion." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each past. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a it with his own hands." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the south-west, I see." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "From his hat?" "Whose house is it?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Have you her photograph?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Who was the criminal, then?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Was he the only applicant?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of it with the greatest attention. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "There is the writing." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with where Mr. Fordham shows you.' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "The vanishing of the lady." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, of it with the greatest attention. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will I nodded to show that I had heard. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been