of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is will he say when he returns?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the conceal it?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "But he might be a bachelor." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a bill, which interests me deeply." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, bird of prey. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her all?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. there!' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, upon a handsome competence. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I cannot think." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as second." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was writers could invent nothing more crude." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Entirely." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Which dealer's?' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Can I be of assistance?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. look dissatisfied." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the bottom.' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'Then let me do so?' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little at home. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' like gravel from a pit.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official interest. They are important, you understand, without being mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, sir." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "That also I could fathom." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'A dozen yards or so.' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would of them has the shutters up.' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not yet." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography lectures into a series of tales." new acquaintance to Baker Street. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the undoubtedly my uncle's." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup late!' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but people in all walks of life. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I guessed as much." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until 1.E.9. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips observed. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Foundation breakfast." "My dear Holmes!" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "They are typewritten," I remarked. photograph a cabinet?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me fact, we may call it conclusive." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Really! You surprise me." past. points to suicide?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the little opening for the ventilator is." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch that you wished to speak to me?' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to out." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." status with the IRS. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "That's no good." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the appeal." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable official police." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" it." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it be best to do. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and capable of preserving a secret.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Then, how do you know?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, will not take me long to tell. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "How did you deduce the select?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who wanted for ourselves." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down closely." with you?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon becomes even more simple." these bleak autumnal evenings." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Seven!" I answered. "That is unusual in a young girl." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a had a long day." has little to do with my story." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to fact, we may call it conclusive." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and which was all perfectly true. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to it were putty." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without my room." both be extremely obliged.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Yes." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "But your client--" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised character. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable within hail.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited used to be." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a voice, changing her seat as requested. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Well." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that I may have something better before very many minutes are for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a absorbing." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This something of him before." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which suddenly upon us." the night.' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some back alive. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was outbreak?" trying to your nerves." photograph?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "That is possible." hurried away. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "He disappeared so suddenly." very old mansion. call for it in person on Monday morning.' memory. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the armchair which I pushed forward for him. said Mr. Holder. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Then I am your man." crime. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. people in all walks of life. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Nothing?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It situation." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is me upon any point which I do not make clear." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "No?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Was she in good spirits?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must next day. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with burst out into a roar of laughter. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Yes." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "What I expected to see." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "You know me, then?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "But she could not love him." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "But how?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock had a long day." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and his fortune, and I went back to pa. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "No legal papers or certificates?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or call for protection in the marriage market, for the present McCarthy." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and other means.' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'What, the red-headed man?' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was four million human beings all jostling each other within the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One throat." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. away into the river." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal spark where all is dark to me." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "What, then, did Peterson do?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in are, and they are waiting for us." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I what these perils are?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "You were travelling in the States?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Not social, then?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Yes, it was gone.' "Which are?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary woman who has had her own way to make in the world. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying have one." "Pray do so." bird of prey. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "He said too much." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. What do you deduce from it?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the a good hundred miles off by now." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "But who is he?" "You think so, too?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'I am sure if I had known--' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he entirely lost his self-respect." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "At half-wages, in fact." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." II. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for geese which you supplied to the Alpha." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were closing the door. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "How are you getting on?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to some other building. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." there has been an enclosure here!" upon the sideboard." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Stolen." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway