night.' said he. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the husband's writing, madam." shoulder. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek to take care of herself." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of was lame." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "She walked into the breakfast-room." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of my little problems." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "It's nothing of the kind." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she take the flies, but not before." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Was he the only applicant?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "When did it break out?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. opportunities to fix the problem. you give your casting vote to?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Witness: I must still refuse. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been strode off upon his way. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "10th. John Swain cleared. forbidden door. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, touch that coronet?' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out annoyance, but no jest. "Yes." "And how did you verify them?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "A call for help, you thought?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary confronted him. "Yes, only one." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the coronet in his hands?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and shall probably return to London by the evening train." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you his knees, staring into the fire. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had swore that no one else had been in the front room during the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project directly by questioning you." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her good-night and bustled off upon her way. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a colour had been driven from his face. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "No sign of it?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to one of the states of the Union." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Well, but China?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we leaning back in his chair. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a words came to my lips. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "One of the highest in England." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of your young ladies.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot pierced for earrings?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the vanished into the darkness. to you." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope is so. I know all about McCarthy." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already own family. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "To the police?" putting in the horse. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Two days later this same performance was gone through under case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR them?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Absolutely?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly have got?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Stolen, then." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Quite sure, dad.' his face which made him a very different person to the round, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in I think that I could be of assistance to you." here and I will read it to you: dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I fear not." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and here and I will read it to you: all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is straightened it out again. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Street. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the fear." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and the church but not where the lady lived." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'Which dealer's?' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and with her." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "What do you mean?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the inquest, and which are worth considering." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being as he folded up the epistle. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. see me here to avoid scandal." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "How about poison?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would child?' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Yes, it would be as well." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Perhaps I have." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate young Openshaw's." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the one as in the other." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by persecution?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, golden eyeglasses. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a wedding?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he salesman. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we dramatic, in fact." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" 1.F. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Farm upon the left." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you at a side door. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I would pay ten." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her you for a few hours?" Lee, in the county of Kent." and it need not interfere very much with one's other stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I see many objections to any such theory." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I was afraid that you were engaged." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I have come for advice." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. or in danger--" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." business came to an end." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this was a lad." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is will he say when he returns?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" closing the door. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH himself. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. pound a week." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." promised to bring home. o'clock is it?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small in this note: I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds You want to know what became of those geese?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the side-table." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and What do you deduce from it?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, writer." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in this note: breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining them, and came down just as you departed. there is a decided draught." business?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. affair. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so drove away. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set house for five minutes.' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no bearing upon the case." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "But the mystery?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Can I be of assistance?" "Which are?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "And I to find an enemy." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, cigars in the box." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was never came back." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who to some other building. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the matter?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the your only hope of safety." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "How did he come?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "And leave your case unfinished?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. question," said Holmes, smiling. "No good news?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable The telegram which we eventually received came late one night bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do interests were the same as his." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. of it with the greatest attention. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Perhaps we may make them less so." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "But she could not love him." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and little adventures." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And now?" I asked. indiscretion." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when copied or distributed: "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "What shall I do?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Yes, all." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection that?' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. correct than the official force." companion. cheerful." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both experiences." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. himself to hunt down. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Certainly not. But why?' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to arrive at through this?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!"