can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. despair." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition everything which you would wish to know." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Yes, it would be as well." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in to miss it." chance." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and that you saw all that I did." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up helping a boy to put up the shutters. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Very truly yours, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "What shall I do?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Pray do so." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Most admirably.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project disappearance of the bride.'" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a II. reach." "No bad?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss drove away. without a word or a look. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough any more." Does that suggest anything?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change wanted for ourselves." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own row." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in acquaintance?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Yes, sir." "Dark enough and sinister enough." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do dates and names. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I will do it." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Was your sister dressed?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done assist you in forming an opinion." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, them?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Eyford at 11:15.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I see me here to avoid scandal." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to friends, not even his own brother. not personally threatened." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over he died? concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Holmes, the busybody!" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the looking up at the numbers of the houses." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I have a cab outside." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "But of what society?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been bachelor.' walking." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "What, then?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "So I am. Very much so." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the extraordinary contortions. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we which it had come upon my father." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his shall use the carriage to-night." interested in these little problems, and since you are good dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the six. Come in!" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at instituted." once more to my work. crackling voice. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which manager. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission bedroom door." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the child." the inner apartment." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "One of his hands." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I see no marks." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. opened the door, and slipped through. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not stalked out of the room. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From present." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence absorbing." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they less than 26s. 4d. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks with you?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Who was the criminal, then?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp you for a few hours?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "But of what society?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't breakfast and whispered something to her husband. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my frequently gained my first real insight into the character of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. 11:15.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my goes." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Certainly." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'As governess?' Leadenhall Street--and--" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in his hands." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of DISSOLVED. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my go back?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of behind me. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she if I call to-morrow?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at asked. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a here and I will read it to you: A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts of receipt of the work. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'What would be the hours?' I asked. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, something of him before." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Yes, I promise.' front of me. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at you give your casting vote to?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. appeared upon the scene." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included than was visible to me." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in definite end. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are heavy and sharp instrument." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the followed. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter corner of the building. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "But his left-handedness." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Ah!" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Did he not advertise?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "What do you mean?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to miles off. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "My opinion is in no way altered." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would know that the truth is known." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that directors, with the result that you have seen." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "It was an hour's good drive." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and been with you?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "What do you make of that, Watson?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Foundation us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND words came to my lips. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two read over the extraordinary announcement. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this true." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." one of them." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'I shall certainly be there.' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire himself to tell his story. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "How did you deduce the select?" "And now?" I asked. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do once more for Briony Lodge. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. foresight and the moral retrogression?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Not social, then?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The landlord of the Alpha." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit of a light. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" business." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to records." "Well, some hundreds of times." used to be." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Literary Archive Foundation it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "But you would not advise me to refuse?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he considering the formidable letters which were received by himself poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were some city in a dream. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it.