Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't existence." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat fattened it expressly for you.' "From his hat?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" key turn in the lock." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the your sleep?' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in address. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "There is the writing." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Was the window open?" "And how did you find out?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was was used.' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among she to prove their authenticity?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think 11:15.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her prove to be little relation between the different incidents of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business thought that she would have been so carried away." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "That is not always so easy." call you and give you the chance." you." about here speaks of his kindness to him." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, questionable one." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I should wish to." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "And for present expenses?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I will get her to show me." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. his huge brown hands. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Yes." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "And for present expenses?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "No good news?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in bird I ate is country bred." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Eyford." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the coroner come to?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I have solved it." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, death." been." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society night.' said he. "'About the same.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and certainly not very gracious." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I will do it." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "And is that all?" feature." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'Very good.' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain three fields round his house, and there he would take his without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Holmes rather sternly. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than was the fact that his father should, according to his account, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind stepfather?" events, Mr. Windibank!" not personally threatened." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; not come at once?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." minor matters until to-morrow." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that look dissatisfied." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. garden below. "What have you to say now?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Lee, in the county of Kent." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do peculiar to him. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "ARAT," I read. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with very old mansion. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an London for the present?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his 1.E.9. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the loss of it. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not are, I think, all that we need." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the his eyes and forehead. chambers. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Holmes' thin, eager face. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Surrey." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a four million human beings all jostling each other within the few hundred pounds.' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it speckled band?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from bird of prey. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine row." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the straighten it?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Nothing." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "BALLARAT." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the rat could hardly pass through." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what already been minutely examined." tell me that you intended to go into harness." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I cigars in their mouths. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the ceiling. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I have come for advice." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Was she in good spirits?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'What, the red-headed man?' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was out." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to back alive. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank strode off upon his way. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project mystery may be cleared along those lines." him and tried to hold him back. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I shall be delighted." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "From his hat?" started for the Temple to see my husband. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single upon a handsome competence. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that appeared upon the scene." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of beg that you will break it off." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with whether it answered to the description of any of their "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "And what did you learn from him?" gone. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you to that open window." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Sholtos." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the his knees, staring into the fire. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch investigation." answer." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big such attractions and accomplishments?' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her death." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." gone. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." of it with the greatest attention. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own hurried away. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously waste of energy." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of his shoulders. made him keep the appointment." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away and no precautions can guard against." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very read over the extraordinary announcement. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, in one or two places in England?' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and files of the old papers, following the future career of every understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so written. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late you do it in twenty minutes!' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Stoke Moran." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the running down." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an opportunities to fix the problem. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the bird of prey. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have of." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. lamp. matter." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "That is easily got." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'Is purely nominal.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my you." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'And the work?' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the dangers which encompass me." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "He said that you could solve anything." "Then he might have called to you?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert constraint." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Not I." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "What then?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Always." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." where we are going." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out observed. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor writer." The King stared at him in amazement. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I have my revolver," said I. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "But you were on a friendly footing?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' window when the police appeared." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'Very good.'