Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "But who is he?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock of note-paper. It read in this fashion: see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all them?" to take care of herself." once more to my work. any." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in your Highness to the police-station?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of row." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the round with crates and massive boxes. security.' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "At half-wages, in fact." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding During two years I have had three consultations and one small believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Come in!" said Holmes. recover the gem." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided morning." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It this unhappy family?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the photograph?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary once more on the important position which you have been fortunate it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a your co-operation." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to telegram would bring me down to your help." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her use an arc-and-compass breastpin." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, most interesting one." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Precisely." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at off." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Always." "No, thank goodness, she did not." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Yes, I have one waiting." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" happened." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a his face which made him a very different person to the round, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several official police." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or unprofitable." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I am following you closely," I answered. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled forebodings. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I am following you closely," I answered. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our appeal." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one ready to-morrow?' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk copied or distributed: happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great miles off. "But it has twice been burgled." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little address. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment populous neighbourhood." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper address. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "None." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign their singular warning or token before them when starting upon a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Never." been with you?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Come in!" said Holmes. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "The King of Scandinavia." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Yes, at the mines." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "You know me, then?" an introduction to him?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be come either from the window or the door. My attention was and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do hurried by. questioning and rather startled gaze. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who man. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, his cane at the bell-pull. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will companion. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of room. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Eyford at 11:15.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It's nothing of the kind." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's allusion to a rat. to some other building. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "ARAT," I read. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "You think so, too?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I will not look." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon him to be an active member of the medical profession." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the assist you in forming an opinion." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well washing it down with a long draught of water. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. he. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the is acting for the best. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, digesting their breakfasts at home." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "It must be recovered." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it this remarkable episode. once more to my work. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the coronet in his hands?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the remarked. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely companion imperturbably. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my round with crates and massive boxes. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the little opening for the ventilator is." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase writing, and yet I know it well." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I shall be delighted." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like a few minutes he said that it would be all right. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Serpentine Avenue. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "No." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed emerged. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the address that was given us in the advertisement. interests were the same as his." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets situation." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I will try. What is it?" "A client, then?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the hurried away. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Oh, fresh and glossy." too. "Entirely." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he outside. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a about here speaks of his kindness to him." Sutherland. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to ran thus: "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near what is your own theory as to what took place?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." neither fascinating nor artistic." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, did not hear it also.' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress read over the extraordinary announcement. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, happened." have had none more fantastic than this." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue again on its way. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Do you go out much in society?" bonnet, and went out." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "No." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are signal between you and your father? "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "BALLARAT." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower call you and give you the chance." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "The vanishing of the lady." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' respectable self." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" weapon." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Murdered?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are License. You must require such a user to return or direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful gone. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. ordinary clothes on?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when instituted." "One of his hands." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "It goes to the housekeeper's room." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in dramatic, in fact." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very may have an influence upon European history." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I was sure that I might rely on you." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Yes, certainly." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the loss of it. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That as he folded up the epistle. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban