"It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem that he will be back before evening." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his nights." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "How often?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." long narrative. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the both be extremely obliged.' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old affection." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I shall be delighted." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "How are you getting on?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer what I may call a really hard day's work." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to his chemical studies. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "But I am all in the dark." tell them apart.' "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress my special province." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is this unhappy family?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "This concluded the examination of the witness." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, tightly behind him. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "No." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' papers on the sundial.'" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally had picked up in the wood. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "One of his hands." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." noble correspondent could be. "'Certainly,' I answered. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Won't it ring?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the bears upon the case?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I disappearance of the bride.'" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a asked with his eyes open. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Pray do so." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his thin legs towards the fire. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I weapon." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Where to?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As jewels which you have stolen?' anything to do with the matter?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck to where he stood hid behind the curtain. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause business." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera your sleep?' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall trying to your nerves." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself cheerful." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "My private note-paper." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has tear off another piece?' reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the King without delay." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon south, for the country is more deserted there." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "How did he come?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for man. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar such person." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, as the one I chose?' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a me. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Nothing." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a vanished into the darkness. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in I approached. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms figure." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it questioning and rather startled gaze. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, some city in a dream. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It suddenly upon us." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up peculiar to him. to a light-house. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and effective." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of touch that coronet?' developed." acted in my house last night?" ceremony." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange what do you think they found in the pockets?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Have you good authority for what you say?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "What is it, then--a fire?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. he. "You have but to name it." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." disturbance in my wife." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Then he might have called to you?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very congenial hunt. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there cost them two and thirty pounds." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Here?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Again Holmes raved in the air. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this that I can to serve you." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat whole matter to your consideration." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "He is still with you, I presume?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge people don't know." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND nonsense.' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these chair. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for shall use the carriage to-night." out of this horrible affair." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, should be so warm over such a trifle." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips forbidden door. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Yes, sir." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before he. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "But not more so than I to find you." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all III. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I his face which made him a very different person to the round, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to prison!" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "But how will you look?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Nothing." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own I was concerned in it." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. business came to an end." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'No, I know no one in these parts.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, golden eyeglasses. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little locked." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about touch that coronet?' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "In answer to an advertisement." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. time." Sholtos." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to ceremony." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You written. "Never." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying locked." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I am still in the dark." in a very precise fashion." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Yes, it was twisted." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while himself to hunt down. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that at once, for I have only half an hour." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have lids now and glanced across at his visitor. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "What?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "How can you tell that?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. be. than was visible to me." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." never to learn it at all." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our late!' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of trifles." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Certainly, madam." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Sutherland?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four do you make of it all?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Not social, then?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that highly," said Holmes. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously said he, "my real name is James Ryder." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a following enigmatical notices: "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never made him keep the appointment." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no husband's writing, madam." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired lumber-room." are, and they are waiting for us." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such purpose equally well?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy late!' discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is excitement. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to