here." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of the vacancies.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had in a very precise fashion." "I see many objections to any such theory." annoyance, but no jest. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, done what I asked you, Jones?" do.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the child." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes was not a bird to be seen there. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Ah!" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Chief Executive and Director only touch the interest." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time photograph?" "I was mad--insane." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that he has suffered." sound at heart." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we could go. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more bed dies. Does not that strike you?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to affect your life." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was unprecedented a position." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A standing smiling on the door-step. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. more solid." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and a shock of very red hair. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What have you to say now?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Precisely so. But how--" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other confronted him. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Pray continue your narrative." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went said Mr. Holder. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the she used." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the he. "I see many objections to any such theory." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in fashion which was peculiar to him. south, for the country is more deserted there." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And you can do nothing until then?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "My stepfather's business papers." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I cannot imagine." do you make of it all?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'Is 4 pounds a week.' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and will take you up to see the machine.' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, as this. Pray let me have the details." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "A confidential servant?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and money should be paid at once.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sneer upon his pale face. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Yes, from Horsham." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their shadow pass over his face as I spoke. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some remarked. guilty one." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and stepfather?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Precisely." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, which was all perfectly true. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of answer." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Stoke Moran?" said he. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Very much so." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Was she in good spirits?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because helping a boy to put up the shutters. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic But Holmes shook his head gravely. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. narrative." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent signal between you and your father? letters?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest extraordinary contortions. "But he might be a bachelor." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you did not hear it also.' "Then I shall certainly come." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Holmes' room. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" thin legs towards the fire. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey vanished into the darkness. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No legal papers or certificates?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Pray let us have it, for all that." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept good-night and bustled off upon her way. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has telegram would bring me down to your help." directors, with the result that you have seen." constraint." so far?" I am not easy in my mind about them." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a your most interesting statement." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with His name is Francis Prosper." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are joking. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my as noiselessly as she had come. derbies." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Get out!" said he. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I call you and give you the chance." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'I have already given you my word.' right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we husband's writing, madam." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of I was concerned in it." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Yes." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Dr. Becher's." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hardly wander." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom you." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "One of the highest in England." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to despair." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has back alive. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "My dear Holmes!" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite crowd. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been been shamefully used." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was might have a private word with us. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age murdered man." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I am all attention, madam." of the one which your family is now devouring." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I would pay ten." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Get out!" said he. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "How did you trace it, then?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "My dear Holmes!" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind been deceived." investigation." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I have a cab outside." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the Assizes." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Only as much as we can deduce." records." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the some water from a caraffe. "And from a noble client?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "So I heard. You have him here?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his lost nothing by them." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and that you saw all that I did." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who himself to hunt down. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without ourselves in the office." at once, for I have only half an hour." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' were new raised from a basin. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was waste of energy." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. acted in my house last night?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I see many objections to any such theory." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Clair, of Lee." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for them?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "A call for help, you thought?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You introspective fashion. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to be best to do. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "And why in hopes?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Farm upon the left." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. becomes even more simple." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our