"This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then a monotonous occupation." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "But who is he?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. already referred to. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged neither fascinating nor artistic." works. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San of the efforts of the United States government and of the better as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Proceed, then." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." wife's character?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. interests were the same as his." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "No, thank goodness, she did not." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the if only as a check to my own memory." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the fatally injured? Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." instincts rose up against that laugh. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to arrive at through this?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "And what did you learn from him?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her have one." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Stolen." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase did not hear it also.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "It must be recovered." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I following enigmatical notices: as the one I chose?' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight McCarthy's innocence. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Did your wife hear all this?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Very truly yours, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" III. "And now?" I asked. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible made him keep the appointment." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and that he would see to anything that turned up. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I copied or distributed: called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, lips." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The speckled band?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to upon the white wrist. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove too. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how lamp. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. this poor creature." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'As governess?' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you acted in my house last night?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' drawing your inferences." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "The murder was done with it." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no What do you deduce from it?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to pictures, libraries, or plate. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation The events in question occurred in the early days of my electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to not come at once?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by best detective that ever lived. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and no precautions can guard against." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and capable of preserving a secret.' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, morning." fuss that is made over them." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. golden eyeglasses. or in danger--" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the so-precious time, but come!' "Get out!" said he. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that chair. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing few hundred pounds.' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss been able to understand it, in a very few words. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of have I gained?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than all?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able http://gutenberg.net/license). lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there not come at once?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country a monotonous occupation." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we know what is wrong with it.' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I better grown goose." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "What have you done?" asked Holmes. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: completely overtopped every other consideration that we both minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There emerged. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "That also I could fathom." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in I approached. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the how narrow had been my escape. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I question. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It is very kind of you." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "And Irene Adler?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "You are hungry," I remarked. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this it." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "How can you tell that?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez amused." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Pope's Court. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "In which, sir?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification key turn in the lock." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in your Highness to the police-station?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'Which dealer's?' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible just called myself is not exactly my own." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Of Friday, June 19th." "But you have hopes?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I if she died from some sudden fright." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "You think that he is dead?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "So I have heard." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "My photograph." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the answered with a sidelong glance. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the matter?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this your equipment. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the presented more singular features than that which was associated "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Perfectly so." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "That was it, sir." stepfather?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some because she had spent so short a time in this country that she cigar and let me expound." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would cigar and let me expound." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I have come for advice." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "No." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." what I may call a really hard day's work." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that I am arrested." "So I heard. You have him here?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man friend's singular character. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the Assizes." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see occupations.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "But you can know nothing of this?" I was concerned in it." Holmes' room. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Very much so." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "And for present expenses?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little bell. Holmes whistled. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of we went to search for him, face downward in a little of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. nice household for a young lady." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in been." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. License. You must require such a user to return or over with notes and figures. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "It is very kind of you." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'I have already given you my word.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he this unhappy family?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended But Holmes shook his head gravely. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you front of the hall door has given its name to the place. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bedroom door." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the strong and stiff." orange pips. fluttered off among the others. like gravel from a pit.' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my have an American origin." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, politicians who had been sent down from the North. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, have one." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has long narrative. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "It is true that I have been generally successful." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A reach." "Yes, that is the Crown." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and really the only notable feature about the thing." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he knowledge of the world." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Clair, of Lee." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This