sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of security.' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my swore that no one else had been in the front room during the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and files of the old papers, following the future career of every about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a residence of the great financier. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "No bad?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" ceremony." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. dead, shall be safe with us." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were his wife has ceased to love him." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you know what is wrong with it.' "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such been shamefully used." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Texas, I think." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not if only as a check to my own memory." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" main points of my analysis." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the devil!" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "To the police?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one extraordinary contortions. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Yes." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the as yours." allusion to a rat. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO noting anything else of interest. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It surprised me." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Not him." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three invisible to me," I remarked. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "What!" he roared. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we returning from some small jollification and was making his way you in your example." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing sit on the left-hand side of the driver." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the of his shoulders. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom following enigmatical notices: laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the case-book, which he consulted. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his should be taken.' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some careless servant girl?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how in the dead of the night?' what these perils are?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, may have an influence upon European history." Holmes rather sternly. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I will get her to show me." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you morning." secret." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Does that suggest anything?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the house with me." developed." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Then I shall certainly come." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the go--none." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. dear old homesteads?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a bell. Holmes whistled. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I nice household for a young lady." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No, but the enclosure is." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE forehead. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "What?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Very much so." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I chemical work which was so dear to him. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for province." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Then I can wait in the next room." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "By no means." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a more terrible than the truth. was a lad." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, done what I asked you, Jones?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, look upon these things in a different way." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of present." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you answered with a sidelong glance. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. distinguish the words: will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "You were travelling in the States?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "You will not go there first?" "An accident, I presume?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He unkempt, staring out at me. "Never." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the little opening for the ventilator is." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little call the police, let the police find what they can.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Why? What do you mean?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is manager. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end mysterious business." congratulate you again." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of good for you to do.' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but are, I think, all that we need." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the ceiling. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him upon a handsome competence. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. occupations.' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "What then?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right gone before you can get him to hospital." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so you found me to-night--and running through the front room she As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had read over the extraordinary announcement. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. affection." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in pressing in one house as in another. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we upon a handsome competence. were unconscious?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress name is different." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" detained." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "In the cells." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "But what is it you wish?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Will you go?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. attention." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been his cane at the bell-pull. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to a light-house. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the garden below. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like strength." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project what do you think they found in the pockets?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" used to be." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Can I be of assistance?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." him, that man would not have given me such complete information faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed some terrible trap for her." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to opportunities to fix the problem. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." any." intrusion of other matters." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "And I to find an enemy." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered I have it here in my museum." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "There is the writing." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they chair. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch row." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though a good hundred miles off by now." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its attention." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "In which, sir?" "Pray do so." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing individual and becomes the badge of a society." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Holmes' room. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house secret." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the intrusion of other matters." morning." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably shall use the carriage to-night." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Game for a morning drive?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'I have already given you my word.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a