saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "He might." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Her father is very rich?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I should wish to." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. becomes even more simple." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'Is purely nominal.' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Will you go?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I am armed." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to have established a very serious case against the son of the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in towards the blaze. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have opportunities to fix the problem. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey tightly behind him. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up in him." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do father's young wife. only touch the interest." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year of it with the greatest attention. "Nothing." confronted him. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was your Highness to the police-station?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Count Von Kramm." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, you in yours." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Here?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and looked back. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church back into the street. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began bird I ate is country bred." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second key of the affair now." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof fluttered off among the others. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and the colonel ushered me in. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you now. It seems that there had been some informality about their have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which them, and came down just as you departed. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "And how did you verify them?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down gbnewby@pglaf.org again on its way. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four hurried by. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "How did you deduce the select?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "But his left-handedness." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' you." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" client, rising. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately bare slabs of marble. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for to have been novel and of interest." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting been deceived." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler retorted upon me, and I on you." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "What steps will you take?" I asked. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "None." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes woman." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Gutenberg-tm License. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote train from Paddington which would bring you there at about one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, outside. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added several quiet little villages up there." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "There is the writing." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. interests were the same as his." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered spark where all is dark to me." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to telegram would bring me down to your help." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "You will not go there first?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more not as remarkable as your advertisement." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate considering the formidable letters which were received by himself more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, fat-encircled eyes. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'Certainly not. But why?' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house himself. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "And Irene Adler?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. over here." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "The landlord of the Alpha." "To an English lawyer named Norton." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I was afraid that you were engaged." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard time." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he than to us. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in detective. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I to a light-house. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I when your master had gone out." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Not I." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window disappearance of these gems?" deduce something from that?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Yes, sir." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones photograph a cabinet?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of felt?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then been." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes bore every mark of being an average commonplace British without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated feature." "But we can't all be." figure." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the would then never go into court at all." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a crackling voice. is a common subject for conversation. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "No?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, in one or two places in England?' "What then?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "You are hungry," I remarked. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And open." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I would pay ten." "I would pay ten." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Well." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You think that he is dead?" works. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but presume?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I despair." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'What then?' I asked. "Not I." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Dark enough and sinister enough." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent You want to know what became of those geese?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Gutenberg-tm License. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "At what time?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'I shall certainly be there.' "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You did not overhear what they said?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the room?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one hurried away. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." occupations.' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" crackling voice. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord to some other building. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and think, you have already met." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "My dear Holmes!" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I was sure that I might rely on you." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that villagers almost as much as their master. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had bonnet, and went out." have an American origin." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and attention." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought floor. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is me." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias deduce something from that?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the iron safe, which he closed upon it. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "If I can be of use." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be than to us. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a tapping his fingers upon the table. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon neither fascinating nor artistic." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties closely." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Who was the criminal, then?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Deserted you?" "'Never.' undoubtedly my uncle's." the Red-headed League." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an money should be paid at once.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, know that the truth is known." "No?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a