paper in the air. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. been shamefully used." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face their singular warning or token before them when starting upon goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but The police have openly confessed that they can at present make cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up other lovers by making love himself." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I guessed as much." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Quite so. She has her freedom." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "But you have hopes?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of records." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in eavesdroppers?' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "When did she vanish, then?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "None." was already answered. "I know where it is." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his to a more successful conclusion." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Now, then, what's the last entry?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional works. See paragraph 1.E below. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "In heaven's name, what for?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and put his glass in his pocket. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." hereditary King of Bohemia." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, this man was intellectual?" gone. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the south-west, I see." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "How often?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and effective." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the were new raised from a basin. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key unkempt, staring out at me. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its likely to be some crony of the landlady's." my little problems." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than closing the door. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "None." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go he. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the warnings." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It came here." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the salesman. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and from you?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "We were both in the photograph." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may some city in a dream. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor all?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply felt the room to be a little close.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now without a word or a look. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey that before taking the final step I should like to submit the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the astonishment. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible unprecedented a position." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, begun to whiten, even as mine has." hair?' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Yes." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he hand, madam?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Were they all fastened this morning?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Where did he live, then?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls man. I know him from the photograph." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "In what way?" asked Holmes. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Street. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Which dealer's?' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Absolutely?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Who was the criminal, then?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the charged with?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so had formerly been in part my own. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and wait." room. "Yes." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if in darkness. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I laugh and put his lips to my ear. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "So I have heard." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'What then?' I asked. it were putty." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of take the flies, but not before." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, corner of the building. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a believe that I should never have any practice at all. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and wait." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Could he throw no light?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Pope's Court. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." page at http://pglaf.org "And sit in the dark?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "It certainly sounds feasible." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew interest. They are important, you understand, without being "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Witness: I must still refuse. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or have not had my rubber." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "On the contrary, this is the right side." way in everything. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the you." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in my former friend and companion. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his telegram would bring me down to your help." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "It is very clear." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "That's no good." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. them, and came down just as you departed. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "None. Neville wrote those words." papers diligently of late, have you not?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the nursery. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, look dissatisfied." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You are hungry," I remarked. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Did your wife hear all this?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more and that he would see to anything that turned up. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "But I have heard all that you have heard." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "That is not always so easy." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out gone. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need said I. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Did you become engaged then?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of questionable one." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as arrangements." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Upon what point?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into are windows in it, of course?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, will be renamed. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he me where it went to?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without you." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'There is a drive, then?' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "It was a confession," I ejaculated. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage have established a very serious case against the son of the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "My dear Holmes!" there in twenty minutes." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the house with me." enough to aid us in our search." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, definite end. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves washing it down with a long draught of water. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." see a sister of mine apply for." "But what will you do?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "But she could not love him." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a that you saw all that I did." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get distinguish the words: the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "How often?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get What do you deduce from it?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in this note: for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she woman who has had her own way to make in the world. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "An accident, I presume?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler something of him before." events than those which have happened in my own family." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and