wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment clanging. appeal." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the your sleep?' introspective fashion. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he reach." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and second." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "It goes to the housekeeper's room." what is your own theory as to what took place?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little and it need not interfere very much with one's other could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to forbidden door. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I am armed." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been in him." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray awkward doing business with an alias." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do right! Sit down and let us talk it over." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Precisely." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the own family. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Why, what do you mean?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Married! When?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very gigantic client. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in will take you up to see the machine.' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and looked back. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant very old mansion. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we spark where all is dark to me." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon business at Coburg Square is serious." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point point our research must commence, and we will begin it by thin, with a long, sharp nose?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Indeed! Whose, then?" morning." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady business?" "Well?" wedding?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Yes." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did writers could invent nothing more crude." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you bird of prey. "Here?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Pool. "And did you observe any change in her then?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Not in the least." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I see no marks." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo go back?" an introduction to him?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "An accident, I presume?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! tear off another piece?' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up outsides of the windows. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "He slept on the premises." mystery may be cleared along those lines." discontent upon his features. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has will take you up to see the machine.' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had of the vacancies.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for this as likely?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to arrive at through this?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of McCarthy's innocence. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of several quiet little villages up there." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'Why that?' I asks. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so posted to-day." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "To ruin me." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "None. Neville wrote those words." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and to-night." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Can I be of assistance?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears giving me time to thank him. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that help us in this matter." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my manager. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and was it brought him the coronet? "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the appeal." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the shoulder; "he's all right." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard union?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could pound a week." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know help us in this matter." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to union?" "It certainly sounds feasible." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very completely overtopped every other consideration that we both great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front foresight and the moral retrogression?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the matter?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "We must sit without light. He would see it through the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It ago." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have recover the gem." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and laid it on the table. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. door?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean she used." footfalls from the street. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my people in all walks of life. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we orange pips. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Miss Holder?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to telegram would bring me down to your help." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way approach us with offers to donate. to you." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" to me. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a meant it for the best. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was least a most suspicious remark." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "No, thank goodness, she did not." there was no need for father to know." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is girl said." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Dr. Gregory B. Newby He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I thirty. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every ashen face. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the society." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Seven!" I answered. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if of them has the shutters up.' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Did he not advertise?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I hard-headed British jury." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Certainly." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" weary and pale-looking. You want to know what became of those geese?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must least a fellow-countryman. to talk it over. "At half-wages, in fact." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned lost his Christmas dinner." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His remarked. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was most interesting one." off." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the call it cruel." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to http://gutenberg.net/license). of it with the greatest attention. ran thus: Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Of what day?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "A call for help, you thought?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in following enigmatical notices: week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Nothing." it were putty." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running opened the door, and slipped through. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. DAMAGE. danger is over." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" from the brougham. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a might help us?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His swore that no one else had been in the front room during the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'Yes, sir.' "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to despaired of." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "She walked into the breakfast-room." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and over with notes and figures. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project little adventures." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to questionable one." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "And your father? Did you tell him?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure be sorry for having acted so harshly." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "No good news?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and everything which you would wish to know." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in it." "I shall most certainly do so." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "How did he come?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "One?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me drove away. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens one else, I think." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small light and attacked it." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door."