empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as words came to my lips. the matter." it with his own hands." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, digesting their breakfasts at home." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Have you her photograph?" Heh?' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'A dozen yards or so.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter unprofitable." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to seven miles from Eyford Station.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making remarked. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "None." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the morning and make my own way in the world.' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Never." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There coat-tails." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Ten will be early enough." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Where, then, is my wife?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there forebodings. "Ha! you find it so?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Heh?' with some details as to your case." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Then what has happened to him?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. enter into my head. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always might help us?" "He is still with you, I presume?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass address. key of the affair now." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Certainly." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "And why in hopes?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in despair." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Oh, fresh and glossy." bird of prey. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered go--none." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have despair." bedroom door." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was once confined in the cab my mission was practically matter." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as ways of our fellow-men." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were to go into your room and bar your shutters?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old think that he is innocent?" been with you?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be quick march!" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came populous neighbourhood." "From his hat?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. had a long day." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hour?' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress The police have openly confessed that they can at present make heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open one which it was hard to resist. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of secret." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the date of his supposed suicide." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and put his glass in his pocket. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he signal between you and your father? the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "But your client--" "Yesterday." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" The King stared at him in amazement. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic security.' more terrible than the truth. "No, but the enclosure is." lumber-room." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'Yes.' shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that I have it here in my museum." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave call you and give you the chance." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you observed. be. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "What office?" "Yes?" furiously. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Holmes' face clouded over. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "That is possible." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, woman." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. who was a member of your goose club." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that habit of advancing money.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it you?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'And the work?' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of or in danger--" "And the cigar-holder?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked views." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which off." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number think, you have already met." mysterious end." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single forbidden door. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I suspect him." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was towards the blaze. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Watson," he said cordially. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw fact, we may call it conclusive." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of as the one I chose?' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that of the efforts of the United States government and of the better which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I don't believe it." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes. He waved his hands." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'No, I know no one in these parts.' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an lids now and glanced across at his visitor. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was never to learn it at all." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to a more successful conclusion." arrested. You then--" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. developed." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. gone. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "That is it on the dressing-table." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in I shall continue with my miserable story. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four http://www.gutenberg.net back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "One of the highest in England." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to our word." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged mystery may be cleared along those lines." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "That sounds a little paradoxical." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud strong reason behind." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" His smile broadened. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work meant it for the best. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and him nearly every evening." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the him to go away.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Who was the criminal, then?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was be best to do. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." to take care of herself." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips will be renamed. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return of Mr. Rucastle's." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Certainly not.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a pictures, libraries, or plate. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Yes." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have past. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "When did it break out?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I held the little printed slip to the light. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid dates and names. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon secret." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding figure." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Holmes. do.' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had London for the present?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "None. Neville wrote those words." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. fled together." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE said he. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round