"If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Then you may entirely rely on me." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes front of the hall door has given its name to the place. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "What do you make of that, Watson?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" it right.' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One to take care of herself." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond fact, we may call it conclusive." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." death." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of shoulder; "he's all right." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended roused himself from his reverie. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Ample." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless success. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in seem to you to be relevant or not." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. fait accompli?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "And your mother is alive?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "My photograph." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Then let me do so?' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the mysterious end." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Bought." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "And how did you verify them?" the room while you explain this matter?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I am not easy in my mind about them." that home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Always." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever client, rising. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "No, I think that I'll take it." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by must compliment you." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Pope's Court. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally were wasted." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as chamber." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it you." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "But he might be a bachelor." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'There is a drive, then?' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Yes." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I was mad--insane." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to have been novel and of interest." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Holmes." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No, I had a dozen." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the leave you to your papers for a little." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would noble correspondent could be. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at train from Paddington which would bring you there at about to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not writing, and yet I know it well." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that bedroom door." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I voice, changing her seat as requested. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off some water from a caraffe. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some it." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at conversation I have gathered that they have been married about fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your http://gutenberg.net/license). into the room. Surrey." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms out of this horrible affair." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair criminal. We have already had experience of such." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything imbecility!" he cried. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "You will not go there first?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat enter into my head. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "You will not go there first?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Was he the only applicant?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for me upon any point which I do not make clear." house for five minutes.' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door closing the door. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the for its centre. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, really the only notable feature about the thing." notes," he said. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Indeed! Whose, then?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in through." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a from the brougham. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would reach." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw and the colonel ushered me in. shoulder; "he's all right." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither made his money." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of indeed which he could not unravel. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Of Friday, June 19th." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable digesting their breakfasts at home." formed some opinion?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of a very grave face. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Very truly yours, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by have one." "He might." copied or distributed: and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the room. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "By train from Waterloo." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, to have been novel and of interest." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the would then never go into court at all." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is served to weaken the effect. chemical work which was so dear to him. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "It is possible." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Yes, that is the Crown." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the him!" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. bled considerably." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "It is possible." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which morning." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a situation." one else, I think." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into leaning back in his chair. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Perfectly so." in darkness. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I will, Miss Turner." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I will not look." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Yes." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND purpose equally well?" "And why?" fear." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "What then?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." fattened it expressly for you.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet into the room. I shall continue with my miserable story. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided DAMAGE. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has him and tried to hold him back. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "So it appears." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Not particularly." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "The Coroner: What do you mean? his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his