"On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding placed his cuttings. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "What is it, then--a fire?" "And why in hopes?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was really the only notable feature about the thing." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but intrusion of other matters." "'A dozen yards or so.' problems help me to do so." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was better grown goose." happened." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in signal between you and your father? bonnet, and went out." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official bearing upon the case." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination cigars in the box." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Street. as the one I chose?' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. recover the gem." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Oh, no.' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was it. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but over his head with a sweet womanly caress. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the coronet in his hands?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "And Irene Adler?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of country, and eventually married, without anyone having a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A again." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Yes, at the mines." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, bird of prey. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through weapon." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of people in all walks of life. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "In what way?" asked Holmes. particular state visit http://pglaf.org of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open cause to be." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the King without delay." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the said I. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." come either from the window or the door. My attention was leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I take the flies, but not before." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Eh? What was that?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "What is it, then--a fire?" clanging. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her narrative." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "And now?" I asked. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Look there!" said he. murdered man." "So I am. Very much so." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and wait." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and for the market.' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by frequently gained my first real insight into the character of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by it with his own hands." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Did he not advertise?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is have I gained?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Certainly." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. him and tried to hold him back. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a woven round him. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my wedding?" works. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a bird I ate is country bred." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "There are none." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. me what he had done with the three missing stones. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any he died? orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the case before our client came into the room." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the south-west, I see." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. case before our client came into the room." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "But how could you guess what the motive was?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "You have a clue?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he as noiselessly as she had come. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and it." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would occupations.' "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "I am still in the dark." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I should like to see him very much." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'And the work?' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight beg that you will break it off." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project over here." Edgeware Road. you for a few hours?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I have seen the police." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes, sir." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Then I can wait in the next room." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "But you can know nothing of this?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the with you?" see a sister of mine apply for." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I am armed." which our visitor detailed to us. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Very much so." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Why, what do you mean?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, this as likely?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I have come for advice." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose in the port of London." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And you don't know his address?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "He is still with you, I presume?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the salesman. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Most admirably.' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to some terrible trap for her." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't following enigmatical notices: of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful you want, then?' comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning know all about it," he snarled. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." during which he might have communicated with his friend the have not had my rubber." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of unclasping of his long thin hands. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there to that open window." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your you, my dear young lady?' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell considering the formidable letters which were received by himself near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "But I am all in the dark." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think imbecility!" he cried. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "And now?" I asked. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. felt the room to be a little close.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Entirely." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." careless servant girl?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend strode off upon his way. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "About a month then." directly by questioning you." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm trifles." of the way of danger. fled together." "I am sure." should be so warm over such a trifle." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of do.' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At is now desirous of getting those letters back." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I am in hopes that she does." one of them." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to carried out of court." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Thank you. And your address?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Heh?' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless you." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at depend upon my doing so.' was not a bird to be seen there. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, said I. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot death." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called events than those which have happened in my own family." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the newspaper selections." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and dramatic, in fact." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, again, where I was soon asleep. was used.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "But how will you look?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'Not at all. I only doubt--' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "That is not always so easy." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Ah!" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned of this gang." have not had my rubber." of receipt of the work. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "About a month then." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Yes." indeed which he could not unravel. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I leave." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I cannot imagine." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the