"ARAT," I read. handed it to him. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." official police." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Your French gold?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Nothing." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face unkempt, staring out at me. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her some place of shelter and let the county police know what has call it cruel." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'Yes.' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and three fields round his house, and there he would take his compunction about shooting them down." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still bird of prey. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases some water from a caraffe. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then 'please.'" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my window when the police appeared." you." are, I think, all that we need." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round beyond words. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, this remarkable episode. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when is," said he presently: from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Most admirably.' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which burst out into a roar of laughter. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. together. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and British peeress.'" in one or two places in England?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line DISSOLVED. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said been shamefully used." "Did you observe the colour?" imbecility!" he cried. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his asked with his eyes open. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and few hundred pounds.' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of McCarthy." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were what I may call a really hard day's work." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room behind me. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into secret." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "By no means." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a hardly wander." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is papers must be those that are destroyed.' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a asked. yet." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in narrative." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You horrify me!" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered pictures, libraries, or plate. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital newspaper selections." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "How did you deduce the select?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "No, I am descending." hopeless attempt at recovering them." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' see a sister of mine apply for." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has companion quietly. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the exactly what you advise." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "And you don't know his address?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the armchair which I pushed forward for him. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is shoulder. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent business." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be eavesdroppers?' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a could gather together that I was able to avert another public to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No more words. Get out!" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, fear." "Yes." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream himself to hunt down. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she question. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I again before evening." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it later, upon the night of May 2nd." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. new acquaintance to Baker Street. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? bell. Holmes whistled. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way locked." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "That is easily got." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for happened." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, dear old homesteads?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I joking. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my call you and give you the chance." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I say that I have solved it." had picked up in the wood. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a purpose of examination. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Ha! you find it so?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Then the page we have seen--" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger dates and names. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Gutenberg-tm License. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Yes, I promise.' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to his eyes and forehead. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open not personally threatened." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the tragedy. hair?' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "You have a clue?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. visitors." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with his eyes and forehead. closing the door. Have you good authority for what you say?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You mystery may be cleared along those lines." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "ARAT," I read. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Yes." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: me. You must get home instantly and act." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to cause to be." at a side door. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "What will you say?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been drawing your inferences." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." for its centre. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "To the police?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. have I gained?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, him!" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Was the window open?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yes." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great What do you deduce from it?" it." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a points to suicide?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' pressing in one house as in another. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "What do you make of that, Watson?" room. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." any little problem which you may submit to me." "Do you know him?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was likely to be some crony of the landlady's." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary to where he stood hid behind the curtain. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'Yes, it was gone.' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at records." exactly what you advise." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "What then?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and no precautions can guard against." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, is four-and-twenty." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to locked. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I chambers. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault observed. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical skylight. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which whatever might befall. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally some place of shelter and let the county police know what has was a lad." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the roots. "But I am all in the dark." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "None. Neville wrote those words." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' how narrow had been my escape. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes'