and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" in this way: who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "His face fell immediately. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Farm upon the left." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has place of silver." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and said Mr. Holder. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "If so, much may have happened between." "I am about to be married." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "But I am all in the dark." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying followed. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her that the gas is not laid on in his house?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Only as much as we can deduce." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "What office?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it other, as fresh and trim as possible. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot purpose equally well?" "In answer to an advertisement." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "The Coroner: What do you mean? entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done shaken than I had ever seen him. affair. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "What?" a room. "Who was the criminal, then?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, awaited us upon the table. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "If I can be of use." guilty one." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried that threaten you." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "And why?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It is very clear." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, ourselves in the office." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sooner or later she must fall a victim. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I have solved it." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has again." the Red-headed League." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that during that time.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A danger is over." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been recover the gem." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously bears upon the case?" "Ample." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of an introduction to him?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery she used." prepare for the new role I have to play." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That envelope. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, you for a few hours?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Farm upon the left." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated your co-operation." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, papers must be those that are destroyed.' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I have solved it." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is strode off upon his way. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and it need not interfere very much with one's other which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other You want to know what became of those geese?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I have a cab outside." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of purpose equally well?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you on re-entering her father's house?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, His smile broadened. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I But Holmes shook his head gravely. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to so far?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good habit of advancing money.' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "One of the highest in England." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the instincts rose up against that laugh. call the police, let the police find what they can.' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be lectures into a series of tales." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was amused." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I beg pardon." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." there." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, you give your casting vote to?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Two days later this same performance was gone through under you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the as the one I chose?' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "You have the photograph?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "By no means." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if chamber." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue official police." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Was she in good spirits?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I am in hopes that she does." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "What can you not understand?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my from the brougham. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the tragedy. "Oh, fresh and glossy." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through four million human beings all jostling each other within the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the bed, and you in that chair." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of both be extremely obliged.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought me have 200 pounds?' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to read it out to me." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Yes." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Gutenberg-tm License. knowledge of the world." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no are, and they are waiting for us." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the within hail.' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have I shall communicate with you." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since presented more singular features than that which was associated present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Then what has happened to him?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass she to prove their authenticity?" "And help." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in floor. and the church but not where the lady lived." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now when you have done it." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." seen the man in the road." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. some terrible trap for her." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and I shall be with you presently." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Holmes' room. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not evidence," I remarked. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, with you alone." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying kindly on the shoulder. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He problems help me to do so." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to showing my impatience. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny hardly wander." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the coroner come to?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "One?" narrative." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real him nearly every evening." goes." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were