"I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "It was." "'Entirely.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Ah!" "But of what society?" "Perfectly so." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled if I call to-morrow?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Ha! you find it so?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Two days later this same performance was gone through under unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be situation." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I will try. What is it?" "Was there a secret marriage?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the gentleman's clothes. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Game for a morning drive?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own you for a few hours?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It is very kind of you." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the salesman. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "No, I had a dozen." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There of it with the greatest attention. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Ah, but I was recommended to you." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "An enemy?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other forebodings. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "You horrify me." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about made his money." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "What I expected to see." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Yes." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "You saw the ventilator, too?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Most admirably.' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an bare slabs of marble. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it assist you in forming an opinion." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" of your young ladies.' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Precisely so. But how--" that he will be back before evening." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, already been minutely examined." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Serpentine Avenue. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." your Highness to the police-station?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp of them has the shutters up.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "What do you make of that, Watson?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Countess of Morcar's?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had his wife has ceased to love him." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it man. I know him from the photograph." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'You doubt its value?' he asked. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the window, rose as we entered. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Yes?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an man. I know him from the photograph." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my acted in my house last night?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm vault. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes." nonsense.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You have the photograph?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' furiously. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose in. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps before the coroner and the police-court." evidence," I remarked. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be locked." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the cigar and let me expound." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Dirty?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "It is a murder, then?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "What, then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. closing the door. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "On your arm?" there has been an enclosure here!" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. meant it for the best. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who union?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove of Mr. Rucastle's." http://gutenberg.net/license). "She told me to ask you." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in were wasted." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your since then to throw any light upon what became of him." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences assist you in forming an opinion." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed system of imprisonment?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the station." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the was it brought him the coronet? "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to tell." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little chambers. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'Very good.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds could not have written that. It is the German who is so stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Entirely." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the night.' said he. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no there." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the tragedy. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since heavy and sharp instrument." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from these bleak autumnal evenings." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." way in everything. "I cannot think." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help directly by questioning you." a room. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Won't it ring?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. second window is the one that I jumped from." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. mystery!" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of correct than the official force." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as good for you to do.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Certainly." "By no means." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and no precautions can guard against." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And remarked. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases leave you to your papers for a little." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, papers on the sundial.'" "Precisely." "It is his hat." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'As governess?' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Will you bet, then?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon delirious. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "But I am all in the dark." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 October 9, 1890. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "What, then, did Peterson do?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'Yes, sir.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend wedding?" disappearance of these gems?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save together. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. least a most suspicious remark." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I say it is." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. had picked up in the wood. "Thank you. Pray proceed." his knees, staring into the fire. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." or other trace. But how on earth--" away into the river." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a for its centre. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate gentleman's clothes. "By all means." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call him." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of this gang." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Surrey." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I am to be neutral?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "The gentleman I describe." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "He said that you could solve anything." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'I have already given you my word.' tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on maid will bring up your coffee." "And the cigar-holder?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Breckinridge is his name." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time introspective fashion. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to dates and names. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the