run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." have had none more fantastic than this." Cross for the Continent." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent shaken than I had ever seen him. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'How far from the body?' security.' opportunities to fix the problem. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond anything to a woman, for she would have her way." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned room?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the running down." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, persecution?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper will take you up to see the machine.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at but preventing her from injuring another. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." enter Dr. Roylott's room." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'You cannot say what it was?' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "No sign of it?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the general public were present, then?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit purpose of examination. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "But what will you do?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my know all about it," he snarled. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the correct than the official force." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the father's place of business?" that, and I came down." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Yesterday." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Where does the thing come from?' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, meant it for the best. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; bird of prey. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass remarked. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I guessed as much." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord problems help me to do so." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Did you become engaged then?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "What?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'You cannot say what it was?' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to to take care of herself." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the him. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute some mystery and the punishment of some crime." more solid." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." experiences." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Of Friday, June 19th." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Do you know him?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of extraordinary contortions. "Nothing." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, lumber-room." was it brought him the coronet? the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little been." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time upon the sideboard." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear of Mr. Rucastle's." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Pool. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'Certainly,' I answered. appeared upon the scene." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "No, but the enclosure is." so.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum figure." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our shoulder; "he's all right." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Her father is very rich?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "In what way?" asked Holmes. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I narrative." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a what is your own theory as to what took place?" to miss it." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "And I say east," said my patient. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. minor matters until to-morrow." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" best detective that ever lived. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." too. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Precisely." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Which dealer's?' "Was he the only applicant?" if I call to-morrow?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his himself to tell his story. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin retorted upon me, and I on you." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the or other trace. But how on earth--" someone who had been in Australia." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could province." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and clang of the bell. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in he. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can but preventing her from injuring another. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off tied." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Have you her photograph?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may which we had just quitted. the matter?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I have solved it." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking done what I asked you, Jones?" pierced for earrings?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared chamber." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Yes. He waved his hands." room had already been engaged for us. posted to-day." never came back." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "And now?" I asked. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Have you her photograph?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he prison!" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It's nothing of the kind." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down individual and becomes the badge of a society." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or go--none." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Lestrade of Scotland Yard." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "You are hungry," I remarked. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He hour?' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There with the outside air!" business?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and glanced through. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. to a more successful conclusion." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to late!' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "One?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and them?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional garden below. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for asked with his eyes open. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what been with you?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a people don't know." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that do you make of it all?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord hard-headed British jury." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Well." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is beyond words. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net do.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "It was." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "One of his hands." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that certainly not very gracious." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "We have tried and failed." and your relations to her." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor make me his representative both with the servants and with the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded flock.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my photograph?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the writers could invent nothing more crude." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Yes, sir." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Yes, all." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday such person." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." forebodings. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that be.' I nodded again. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these friends, not even his own brother. the child." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his public press." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I am in hopes that she does." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Very much so." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the in a friendly supper." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from as the one I chose?' "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I there when the Rucastles went away." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately where Mr. Fordham shows you.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "So it appears." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked what is your own theory as to what took place?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the extraordinary contortions. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange in his power. situation." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience