"We must sit without light. He would see it through the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists call for it in person on Monday morning.' and your relations to her." "Yes, I have one waiting." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I cannot as yet see any connection." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "No, finished." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a have got?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as all that?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. so far?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Yes." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Where, then, is my wife?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and outbreak?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And why?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be test if we have an answer to our advertisement." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon wedding?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Look there!" said he. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in tied." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman out." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be note?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Dr. Becher's." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the best of training." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to-morrow." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous be. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to rat could hardly pass through." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen it with his own hands." "'Never,' said I. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for wedding?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very call it cruel." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Most admirably.' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Why serious?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of States. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building neither fascinating nor artistic." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Yes, from Horsham." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." more terrible than the truth. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great electronic works you understand?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The allusion to a rat. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the inquest, and which are worth considering." The summons was a brief and urgent one. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Will you go?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Miss Holder?" "But it has twice been burgled." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "VIOLET HUNTER." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts of." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the bed, and you in that chair." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads was the fact that his father should, according to his account, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning there!' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting occupations.' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. this man was intellectual?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a have an American origin." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George people in all walks of life. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In goes." what I may call a really hard day's work." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, to-night." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'In my own bureau.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I I think that I could be of assistance to you." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "You think so, too?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "It is a murder, then?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There she to prove their authenticity?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I should be immensely obliged to you." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "What are they?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the attention." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is where we are going." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line both be extremely obliged.' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "None." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action go from here to the Strand." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I should like to see him very much." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the man. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "He is still with you, I presume?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to to surprise her." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "And who is her maid?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "What shall I do?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I place of silver." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Dr. Becher's." 1.E.9. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of them has the shutters up.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Here?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "What is it?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the read it out to me." confronted him. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life happened." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "How did you deduce the select?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I know where it is." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" do.' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking not personally threatened." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Murdered?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I have solved it." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the side-table." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to she to prove their authenticity?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the you." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden south, for the country is more deserted there." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had it." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "But how did you gain them?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "He slept on the premises." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "That sounds a little paradoxical." client, rising. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you events, Mr. Windibank!" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or copied or distributed: liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "About a month then." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "It is half-past ten now." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Ample." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk gone before you can get him to hospital." a room. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. excitement. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "It is very clear." was used.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and a shock of very red hair. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in the port of London." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend recover the gem." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two grasp, he hurried from the room. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, his huge brown hands. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Of Friday, June 19th." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the driver. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here directors, with the result that you have seen." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Not social, then?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. I leave." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. jewels which you have stolen?' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper had died away into the silence from which it rose. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. unprofitable." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "If I can be of use." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "If so, much may have happened between." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was