of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the go from here to the Strand." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll know all about it," he snarled. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Precisely." "It is his hat." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the driver. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to points to suicide?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." photograph a cabinet?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "But he might be a bachelor." approach us with offers to donate. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, locked." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." absorbing." "And what did you see?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for extraordinary contortions. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own quickly through a disagreeable task. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the meant it for the best. sparkled upon his finger. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness desk. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double made his money." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yes." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular cost them two and thirty pounds." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that weary and pale-looking. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "The gentleman I describe." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, better in every way that they should make their position a little Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door him to go away.' there in twenty minutes." his face. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with generous with you in money matters.' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the Red-headed League." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. beyond words. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Certainly." "But I have heard all that you have heard." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham married her." "I guessed as much." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "When did it break out?" purpose equally well?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front fasten all the windows?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so said he at last. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora my special province." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "You think that he is dead?" "'Certainly not. But why?' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "At half-wages, in fact." of his shoulders. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall out." yet." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment nonsense.' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular which are rolled in Rotterdam." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the certainly do as you advise." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "And how?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Nor running a chance of arrest?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some call for protection in the marriage market, for the present however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, behind me. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who six. Come in!" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and he bowed and left the room without another word. me have 200 pounds?' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'In my own bureau.' occurred." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and it need not interfere very much with one's other this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "When did she vanish, then?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, was a lad." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I cannot imagine." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Very murderous indeed." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you clanging. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo least a most suspicious remark." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the ceiling. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: could not have written that. It is the German who is so confronted him. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Have you it here?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" bell. Holmes whistled. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I cannot tell." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "She will not sell." "And is that all?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Only as much as we can deduce." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "It looks newer than the other things?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. upon a handsome competence. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few conduct the inquiry." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the situation." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and again." were wasted." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for enter into my head. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Upon what point?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that look dissatisfied." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my throat." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently which we had just quitted. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 considering the formidable letters which were received by himself His name is Francis Prosper." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," criminal. We have already had experience of such." for and were ordered to this address. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," place of silver." The King stared at him in amazement. "Were they all fastened this morning?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and dramatic, in fact." Holmes' face clouded over. "What then?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "That is unusual in a young girl." will he say when he returns?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" nothing of it?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches tear off another piece?' "Did you become engaged then?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and forbidden door. generous with you in money matters.' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which during which he might have communicated with his friend the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "So I am. Very much so." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; his cane at the bell-pull. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each happened." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed This is what he says: dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible desk. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "And I to find an enemy." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'Not at all. I only doubt--' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to-morrow." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, province." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which absorbing." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. round and wave him away like that.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Then you may be so with me." bearing upon the case." "But she will refuse." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Thank you. And your address?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes, I have one waiting." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I never came back." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "It may not come to that," said Holmes. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and congratulate you again." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so to miss it." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "And for present expenses?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a vanished into the darkness. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Which are?" "When did she vanish, then?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had light and attacked it." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of in. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was done what I asked you, Jones?" hair?' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "If I can be of use." "I am sure." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of is four-and-twenty." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the depend upon your compliance." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money,