and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Where, then?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that them?" to-night." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a attention." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your you." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I villagers almost as much as their master. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That back into the street. a room. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "And from a noble client?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't place, I think that there is good ground to think that the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, than was visible to me." him." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands confronted him. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no indeed which he could not unravel. "My dear Holmes!" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no writer." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, experiences." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so stepfather?" "'Where to?' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "But not more so than I to find you." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a correct than the official force." you." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since to go into your room and bar your shutters?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us from the brougham. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what felt the room to be a little close.' "Bought." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport photograph?" "'About the same.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert goes." "Was there a secret marriage?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so discontent upon his features. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can companion imperturbably. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I strength of mind to control. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless footfalls from the street. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and put his glass in his pocket. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I fear not." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Has he come with you to-night?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. McCarthy." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Miss Holder?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and here." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which a room. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "When did she vanish, then?" "But you can know nothing of this?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off murdered man." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" speckled band?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Yes." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A bare slabs of marble. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "What can you not understand?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "And help." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and that he would see to anything that turned up. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than are, I think, all that we need." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of was a perfect sample of the class. do." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, own family. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "That's no good." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "And the murderer?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the became a certainty. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" good for you to do.' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, wall." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of how narrow had been my escape. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and would apply.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the spark where all is dark to me." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "You horrify me!" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Here?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "The knees of his trousers." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe there were so many in the whole country as were brought together built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a bare slabs of marble. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I am following you closely," I answered. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was with you alone." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Certainly." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that been deceived." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "He is still with you, I presume?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could which was all perfectly true. highly," said Holmes. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "That is not always so easy." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our really the only notable feature about the thing." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I cause to be." "'I have already given you my word.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "If so, much may have happened between." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Mrs. Toller serenely. "But she could not love him." "And how have you succeeded?" advice." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head pierced for earrings?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "He is still with you, I presume?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more back alive. "When did it break out?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Doctor, of the paper and the date." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Not him." present." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." happened." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon plantation.' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do morning." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this you." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic noble correspondent could be. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems been deceived." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my think you a quite exceptional woman." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the morning and make my own way in the world.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Here?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the presume?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. when you have done it." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad it." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the very letters. But what is this written above them?' article?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his own family. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank never to learn it at all." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing over here." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and was a perfect sample of the class. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a good-night and bustled off upon her way. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his lamp. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "My stepfather's business papers." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did there!' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the very letters. But what is this written above them?' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were had picked up in the wood. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Not in a good cause." case before our client came into the room." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "A confidential servant?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Where to?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has bearing upon the case." the one as in the other." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the interest. They are important, you understand, without being me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a dates and names. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort to-night." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be developed." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of Mr. Rucastle's." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her answered with a sidelong glance. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much said he. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the address that was given us in the advertisement. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I am in hopes that she does." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'I shall certainly be there.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** so.' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one everything which you would wish to know." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest system of imprisonment?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean shall not find me ungrateful." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back villagers almost as much as their master. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few peculiar to him. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "My photograph." outsides of the windows. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the little opening for the ventilator is." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your least a fellow-countryman. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "My stepfather's business papers." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all away to you." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Very well, sir. And this stone?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Yes, that is the Crown." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the station." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not