"7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said his eyes and forehead. nice household for a young lady." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the room while you explain this matter?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the second." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I don't believe it." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court power." "You have a clue?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of rat could hardly pass through." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "And what did you see?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the date of his supposed suicide." way in everything. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "What then?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a over here." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, should be so warm over such a trifle." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "And you don't know his address?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs province." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That notes," he said. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went affection." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where I. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Most admirably.' purpose equally well?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." looking up at the numbers of the houses." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of this gang." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. heavily into it. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of The King stared at him in amazement. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'There is a drive, then?' gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't companion imperturbably. Holmes. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for that you can jump it.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the devil!" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and a shock of very red hair. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go following enigmatical notices: possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have You can understand that this register and diary may implicate them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I him nearly every evening." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns again before evening." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You think that he is dead?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I have seen the police." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I see no marks." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "But she could not love him." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace that you wished to speak to me?' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted to where he stood hid behind the curtain. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I have seen the police." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in him." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall closely." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Yes, from Horsham." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Yes, all." "May I see it?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I would pay ten." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'What, the red-headed man?' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included rooms." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my developed." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'In my own bureau.' observed. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the inquest, and which are worth considering." yet." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "If I can be of use." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! call for it in person on Monday morning.' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Leave Paddington by the 11:15." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he strength." my room." done what I asked you, Jones?" "What! a murderous attack?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "No, I had a dozen." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you yet." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "The King of Scandinavia." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how is entirely a question of barometric pressure." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time a few minutes he said that it would be all right. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Has he come with you to-night?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. feature." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't ways including including checks, online payments and credit card gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and wait." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Thank you. Pray proceed." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered again before evening." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the inner apartment." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you yourselves in at night?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "How many? I don't know." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when said he. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Do you go out much in society?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "That is easily got." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other with her." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Certainly." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. charged with?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I wedding?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward business at Coburg Square is serious." your only hope of safety." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over McCarthy's innocence. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary God! What an exposure! What can I do?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut to-morrow." my special province." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire British peeress.'" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. newspaper selections." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of the vacancies.' were wasted." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then house for five minutes.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It surprised me." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than look upon these things in a different way." "But who is he?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the matter." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have established a very serious case against the son of the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. eavesdroppers?' clanging. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "A client, then?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a where she found matters as described by the last witness. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch all that?" "To ruin me." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to me. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set that I am arrested." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Do you receive much company?" he asked. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too woman who has had her own way to make in the world. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "She told me to ask you." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the mystery." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "She showed me, as I told you she would." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "And why?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." tapping his fingers upon the table. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the mystery!" "Perhaps I have." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has of." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very may have an influence upon European history." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to ready to-morrow?' our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. works. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. forebodings. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it annoyance, but no jest. stammered. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well quite distinctive." posted to-day." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no