business." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only little adventures." the side-table." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a formed some opinion?" introspective fashion. opportunities to fix the problem. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass been shamefully used." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you you?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main said he. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had it." was a lad." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It room. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Is purely nominal.' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young quite distinctive." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Doctor, of the paper and the date." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "My stepfather's business papers." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging papers." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." it. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, bonnet, and went out." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. wedding?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this was once confined in the cab my mission was practically emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'There is a drive, then?' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his for securing the situation." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her have I gained?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has house for five minutes.' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to way in." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who strength of mind to control. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest despair." is," said he presently: II. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It is true that I have been generally successful." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'And the work?' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of opened the door, and slipped through. to some other building. "And I say east," said my patient. "'In my own bureau.' "But it has twice been burgled." works. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King see a sister of mine apply for." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "We must sit without light. He would see it through the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has distance from the station, and there we found the young lady her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down cigar and let me expound." for securing the situation." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in of Fenchurch Street." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle his cane at the bell-pull. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, instituted." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." security.' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the appeal." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Pray do so." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Thank you. Pray proceed." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the father's place of business?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying written, and locked the door of the office after me. look dissatisfied." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my comes from the middle window." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we crowd. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "No." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I think it very unlikely." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Count Von Kramm." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an despaired of." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a there." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Of Friday, June 19th." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "That is possible." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my speckled band?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "My opinion is in no way altered." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "But of what society?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Then the page we have seen--" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Never.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I how narrow had been my escape. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric to his chemical studies. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only away into the river." it." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Holmes." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the Friday. Was it to be in church?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. national property. I was determined that the law should have its seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled fattened it expressly for you.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "What I expected to see." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the awkward doing business with an alias." have an American origin." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. nonsense.' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." bonnet, and went out." Foundation pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having any more." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and said Mr. Holder. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by about. "The best possible." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the little opening for the ventilator is." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan copied or distributed: derbies." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. wall." you came in." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was I shall communicate with you." "Did your wife hear all this?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at rose-bushes. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, that I may have something better before very many minutes are though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Which dealer's?' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his business?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I shall most certainly do so." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of them has the shutters up.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Dr. Becher's." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "But the mystery?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too there." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "But how could you guess what the motive was?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very not interfere, come what may. You understand?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "My dear Holmes!" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "None. Neville wrote those words." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not IS But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and tail." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, you want, then?' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." affair. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could man. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the bottom.' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he strength of mind to control. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe invisible to me," I remarked. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my purpose of examination. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Certainly." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Just look it up, then." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come occupations.' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Was she in good spirits?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Leave Paddington by the 11:15." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it province." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name said he. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly spark where all is dark to me." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade envelope. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your thirty. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "None. Neville wrote those words." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "What do you make of that, Watson?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had