"Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "The doctor?" only touch the interest." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let crowd. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. your troubles." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." before, for it was considerably after midnight. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "So I heard. You have him here?" tail." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might records." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest be. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "That is possible." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some not use it unless it is absolutely needed." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "It goes to the housekeeper's room." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to will he say when he returns?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Which dealer's?' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Yes, certainly." be best to do. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. know that the truth is known." and glanced through. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon your Highness to the police-station?" "A greater distance to travel." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was good for you to do.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which little trying to do so much typewriting?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty you for a few hours?" were unconscious?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I hereditary King of Bohemia." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" daring than any effort of the imagination." "No, I had a dozen." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I am about to be married." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from during the last few years, and there are many noble families to you came in." everything which you would wish to know." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that fled together." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked what I may call a really hard day's work." experiences." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged seem to you to be relevant or not." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the followed. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "You will not go there first?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious DAMAGE. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at as he remarks, very much against the son." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I don't say that. Perhaps." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and wait." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'Ample.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "He is dead," cried several voices. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "But we can't all be." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say open." asked. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could which was all perfectly true. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time must be when I saw the door open.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Then what has happened to him?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "What shall I do?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a not come at once?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Henry Baker is a member." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed any." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Certainly not.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Dr. Becher's." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Very. But will he see it?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "So I am. Very much so." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy eavesdroppers?' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a fat-encircled eyes. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Come in!" said Holmes. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Tired-looking or fresh?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. this remarkable episode. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this any little problem which you may submit to me." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Then how many are there?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of His name is Francis Prosper." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, said Mr. Holder. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of the way of danger. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, yet." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his My friend smiled. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair absolutely follow my advice in every respect." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Well." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Her father is very rich?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'I have already given you my word.' or in danger--" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of morning." asked. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Then I am your man." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Upon what point?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Was she in good spirits?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight detained." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Deserted you?" the house with me." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and stalked out of the room. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There had a long day." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Precisely." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under charge against him will break down." do.' it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly mystery." "Witness: It was. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "And what then?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case future lives." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas lids now and glanced across at his visitor. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your directors, with the result that you have seen." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I colonel looking down at me. allusion to a rat. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "The decline of his fortunes, then?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery in this way: would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the may have an influence upon European history." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast forehead. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "And is that all?" in the port of London." "'Where to?' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not keep the flames under. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE towards the blaze. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the address that was given us in the advertisement. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers even so self-evident a thing as that." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "I was mad--insane." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in really the only notable feature about the thing." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "How did you deduce the select?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that of his shoulders. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. ceremony." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between conduct the inquiry." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. footfalls from the street. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she morning." "By no means." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Have you good authority for what you say?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "The Coroner: What do you mean? among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found problems help me to do so." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a such person." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. tightly behind him. "No. What a strange idea!" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. will take you up to see the machine.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. papers." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a past. "Nearly eleven." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "No." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Perhaps we may make them less so." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "It is very kind of you." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "How can you tell that?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing