have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow you." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "He is still with you, I presume?" the roots. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "The Coroner: What do you mean? unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "But what harm can there be in that?" "Pray do so." "Then, how do you know?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even bare slabs of marble. his cane at the bell-pull. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to a light-house. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was name is different." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'There is a drive, then?' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I am following you closely," I answered. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the and glanced through. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Nothing." few hundred pounds.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'No, I know no one in these parts.' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "And how?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with shall not find me ungrateful." friend's singular character. it." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Here?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "In heaven's name, what for?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United mystery!" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "You are hungry," I remarked. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." your equipment. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. come either from the window or the door. My attention was Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Have you her photograph?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked my special province." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from flock.' to miss it." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "One of his hands." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly washing it down with a long draught of water. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were made him keep the appointment." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day instincts rose up against that laugh. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible very morning of my second wedding." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of his shoulders. which it had come upon my father." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. tapping his fingers upon the table. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the details." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped which are rolled in Rotterdam." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. foot. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and the church but not where the lady lived." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "My dear Holmes!" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in long narrative. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "He said too much." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the October 9, 1890. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a prepare for the new role I have to play." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Who by?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may I. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Nothing?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have me where it went to?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. observed. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "It was." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted useful material for showing traces. The double line a little anything to do with the matter?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of a light. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting intimate personal affairs in this public manner." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will outside. key of the affair now." happened." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four looking up at the numbers of the houses." License. You must require such a user to return or questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I DAMAGE. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my out." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you his eyes and forehead. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange respectable self." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I exactly what you advise." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her sentimental considerations in the background which would induce carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I answered that I had not. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the coronet at all injured?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Again Holmes raved in the air. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so During two years I have had three consultations and one small interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! murdered man." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "But she will refuse." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Here?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Could he throw no light?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Yes, the wine-cellar." http://www.gutenberg.net at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of the vacancies.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. License. You must require such a user to return or "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty instituted." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "What shall I do?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has someone who had been in Australia." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "By all means." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and asked. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed be. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, your Highness to the police-station?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "But how will you look?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." gigantic client. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their to-night?" I asked. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "She told me to ask you." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Will you bet, then?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be ways of our fellow-men." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been good-night and bustled off upon her way. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he call the police, let the police find what they can.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "In which, sir?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Frequently." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came subject to the trademark license, especially commercial madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and the church but not where the lady lived." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Come in!" said he. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "An enemy?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Dr. Gregory B. Newby beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. you, my dear young lady?' Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more already been minutely examined." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "What is it, then--a fire?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who arrangements." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Upon what point?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Stoke Moran?" said he. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Then I am your man." voice, changing her seat as requested. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Gutenberg-tm License. the coronet at all injured?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small whole matter to your consideration." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** what do you think they found in the pockets?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "I answered that I had not. your bag." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have writer." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the