and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. ceremony." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, look dissatisfied." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they province." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Perfectly so." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "But to whom?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that heavy and sharp instrument." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in fire. You quite follow me?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all said I. "Ah!" have I gained?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "That is it on the dressing-table." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small companion imperturbably. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us strength in the others." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "But how will you look?" once more for Briony Lodge. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between peculiar to him. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little unprofitable." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to tackle the facts." Cross for the Continent." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts writers could invent nothing more crude." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved instituted." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "The vanishing of the lady." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a asked with his eyes open. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some stood on the top of it. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, existence." roused himself from his reverie. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the discontent upon his features. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the devil!" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As bird of prey. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "And who is her maid?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Witness: Nothing definite. "But she will refuse." interest. They are important, you understand, without being Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Yes." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his points to suicide?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over interested in these little problems, and since you are good very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of them has the shutters up.' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to McCarthy's innocence. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "None." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." ceremony." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But he died? all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something trying to your nerves." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' to change my dress. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being entirely devoid of interest." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "And when will you call?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and wait." presented more singular features than that which was associated He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Precisely." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to any." friends, not even his own brother. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon said I. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor even so self-evident a thing as that." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." as noiselessly as she had come. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I mystery." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the coronet in his hand?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security official police." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Quite so." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. desk. "Yes, at the mines." there." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you had a long day." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent on in his house." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite never will be, entirely cleared up. and put his glass in his pocket. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in strength." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for second window is the one that I jumped from." "Perhaps we may make them less so." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have and that he would see to anything that turned up. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at get the tickets." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary purpose of examination. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our a monotonous occupation." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the yards of it?' "Won't it ring?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I peculiar to him. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But goes." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded system of imprisonment?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Leave Paddington by the 11:15." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. interested in these little problems, and since you are good case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of upon the sideboard." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt lamp. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. infinite languor in his face. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had existence." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. time." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I fishes. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Yes, I promise.' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and glanced through. disappearance of the bride.'" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had ashen face. evidence," I remarked. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy paper in the air. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple note?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see call you and give you the chance." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Was he the only applicant?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "But who is he?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'Quite sure, dad.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out train.' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always evidence," I remarked. "The King of Scandinavia." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the child." said I. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in already referred to. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. my former friend and companion. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and no precautions can guard against." "How are you getting on?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left against a man in the prime of life?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' crime." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror him." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag keep the flames under. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the outside." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Have you her photograph?" morning." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "None." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a himself. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "You horrify me!" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'Certainly,' I answered. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no families. Now for the facts. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "And how did you find out?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "What, then, did Peterson do?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "In the cells." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "In San Francisco, a year ago." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, him nearly every evening." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Frequently." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered row." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his morning." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "But the mystery?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Never to return." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from constraint." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the and a shock of very red hair. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the both be extremely obliged.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 knowledge of the world." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I have my revolver," said I. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no fact, we may call it conclusive." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the During two years I have had three consultations and one small it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Then, how do you know?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "What can it mean?" I gasped. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the have got?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards over part of the map. "What do you read?" them present such singular features as the strange train of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and again before evening." "Your presence might be invaluable." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." call it cruel." union?" up this clue while it is still hot." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of strength." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I assure you that I am in your hands." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the matter."