"Yes, the wine-cellar." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I like gravel from a pit.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the vanished into the darkness. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which think you a quite exceptional woman." come either from the window or the door. My attention was nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "No?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for I. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "In what way?" asked Holmes. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very than to us. be best to do. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Never to return." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Why? What do you mean?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "My dear Holmes!" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "And you can do nothing until then?" "It is no ordinary one." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "And why?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I cannot tell." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "But how?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Yes, that is the Crown." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of back alive. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "You are hungry," I remarked. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "No." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'Is 4 pounds a week.' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Literary Archive Foundation "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His with you?" hurried away. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I am to be neutral?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would over here." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "She showed me, as I told you she would." that there was nothing in it, after all." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I am in hopes that she does." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would me where it went to?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a how narrow had been my escape. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Where did you address your letters, then?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Certainly not. But why?' seen the man in the road." all?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? bearing upon the case." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery hands. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another there in twenty minutes." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Dark enough and sinister enough." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps which was all perfectly true. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Why? What do you mean?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He clanging. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon likely to be some crony of the landlady's." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Why did you beat the pavement?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said this man was intellectual?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended fact, we may call it conclusive." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered himself to tell his story. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the driver. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that I can to serve you." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid affection." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she away in different directions, and I went off to make my own dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began me where it went to?" "But of what society?" "But of what society?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Well?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was arrested. You then--" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "If so, much may have happened between." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held searched, without anything being found which could incriminate investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "To ruin me." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too mysterious end." o'clock is it?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I don't believe it." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us showing my impatience. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was voice. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a sufficient punishment." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "How on earth--" said I. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Was the window open?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the matters immensely." indiscretion." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), results." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his already referred to. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. you." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I am following you closely," I answered. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a forbidden door. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are to his chemical studies. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "What then?" think you a quite exceptional woman." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Awake, Watson?" he asked. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the devil!" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, detained." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I cannot tell." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'And the work?' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far test if we have an answer to our advertisement." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. knowledge of the world." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all front of me. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would that before taking the final step I should like to submit the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You have the photograph?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Very much so." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began voice. opened the door, and slipped through. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he stood on the top of it. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." could gather together that I was able to avert another public of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody bears upon the case?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' His smile broadened. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the all that?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to have been novel and of interest." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock giving me time to thank him. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of mysterious end." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'Then let me do so?' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of ago." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which discontent upon his features. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a my former friend and companion. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the client, rising. daring than any effort of the imagination." "My own seal." this man was intellectual?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "It is possible." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the trifles." could not have written that. It is the German who is so Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Holmes' face clouded over. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "What! a murderous attack?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Yes." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." to arrive at through this?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. hand, madam?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself tear off another piece?' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the again before evening." case before our client came into the room." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Then the page we have seen--" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter excitement. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: