this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" unclasping of his long thin hands. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were question," said Holmes, smiling. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be least a most suspicious remark." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End thin legs towards the fire. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she trifles." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "And how did you verify them?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon obstinate." nice household for a young lady." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "At the wedding breakfast." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took fuss that is made over them." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Of what?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary brought there to personate someone, and the real person is band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "My own seal." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I cannot as yet see any connection." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." in the dead of the night?' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "No, finished." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it arms and began to sob in a high treble key. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it all-comprehensive glances. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "It is solved." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Thank you. Pray proceed." "What of the rat, then?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? married her." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my of a light. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional stepfather?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" sofa. This way, please!" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change better grown goose." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a said he. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and shall probably return to London by the evening train." other lovers by making love himself." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what despair." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If families. Now for the facts. "Yes, that is the Crown." away into the river." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of companion. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same article?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer tell them apart.' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they ways including including checks, online payments and credit card been able to understand it, in a very few words. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. gone. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Pray tell us what has happened to you." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "You were travelling in the States?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. as he remarks, very much against the son." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, if only as a check to my own memory." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" that you wished to speak to me?' "Yes." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," new duties?' I shall continue with my miserable story. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "To ruin me." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, better grown goose." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "My stepfather's business papers." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. to a more successful conclusion." and the whole place is in a blaze." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused nonsense.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had interests were the same as his." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." character. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" my little problems." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Did you become engaged then?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the voice, changing her seat as requested. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "That's no good." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had business?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Ample." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at three fields round his house, and there he would take his I nodded again. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "He might." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin eat it." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," you?' James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the coronet in his hands?" "I cannot imagine." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he your Highness to the police-station?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just written, and locked the door of the office after me. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, himself in a perplexing position. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yes." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said best detective that ever lived. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." unkempt, staring out at me. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "So I heard. You have him here?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'Certainly not. But why?' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or thin, with a long, sharp nose?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium gone before you can get him to hospital." written. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and put his glass in his pocket. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "That is easily got." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Why? What do you mean?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to had picked up in the wood. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the King without delay." "'Oh, no.' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk it right.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project everything which you would wish to know." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Pope's Court. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "No." papers diligently of late, have you not?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "That is it on the dressing-table." "I say it is." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, her also." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring records." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in voice, changing her seat as requested. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "That was it, sir." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "And how?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the loss of it. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to opportunities to fix the problem. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that becomes even more simple." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I nights." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate plantation.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue have established a very serious case against the son of the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as before, for it was considerably after midnight. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think but preventing her from injuring another. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily must be when I saw the door open.' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I see no marks." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we ordinary clothes on?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "But she will refuse." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced ashen face. Street. fat-encircled eyes. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into interests were the same as his." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "No, thank goodness, she did not." "And now?" He raised his hand. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Pray do so." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pictures, libraries, or plate. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the went to the Alpha were town bred." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the get her out of the way." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed door?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the that he will be back before evening." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I will, Miss Turner." "No, distinctly professional." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a acted in my house last night?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. depend upon your compliance." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Do you know him?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You saw the ventilator, too?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "One horse?" interjected Holmes. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution shoulder; "he's all right." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" father's young wife. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might as yours." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs."