people in all walks of life. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the presume?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Not in the least." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the hand, madam?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I prisoner's face. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. with you alone." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling had picked up in the wood. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went corner of the building. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some hopeless attempt at recovering them." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save about. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "No good news?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss at my own good fortune. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it suggested at once that there must be a communication between the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I answered that I had not. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Holmes rather sternly. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "And how did he make his money?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I promise," said Holmes. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the roots. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Yes. He waved his hands." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered is," said he presently: searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I shall be delighted." himself in a perplexing position. examine." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers recall any case within my experience which looked at the first hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "To an end?" this poor creature." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. to Leatherhead. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Yes. He waved his hands." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hopeless attempt at recovering them." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "None. Neville wrote those words." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "But I have heard all that you have heard." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." already referred to. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Nothing?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and have this put in the evening papers." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons me, and I could not think that his explanation of the matter over." "On the contrary, this is the right side." and wait." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a had this final quarrel? him. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught him to go away.' into the room. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and case-book, which he consulted. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign way in everything. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have paper in the air. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that?' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from that I can to serve you." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" best detective that ever lived. were unconscious?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted narrative." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "On your arm?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I would give my fortune to have them back." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle yet." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a highly," said Holmes. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Was the window open?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Nothing?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "At the wedding breakfast." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his strong and stiff." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup father's young wife. despaired of." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "No." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you becomes even more simple." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "What is it, then--a fire?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. one of them." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hard-headed British jury." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our leave you to your papers for a little." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be fasten all the windows?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Street. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "That is it on the dressing-table." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me make me his representative both with the servants and with the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "And the cigar-holder?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down The police have openly confessed that they can at present make is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "It is true that I have been generally successful." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce business matters.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but touch that coronet?' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Oh, fresh and glossy." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." direction." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'Ten to two.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my http://www.gutenberg.net is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." placed his cuttings. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a detective. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "You will not go there first?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Then I can wait in the next room." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the coroner come to?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "And on what day did he meet his death?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Entirely." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." do.' "Certainly." a suggestive one." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was awaited us upon the table. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good that you can jump it.' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, of the vacancies.' "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. posted to-day." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the night.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I leave." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his whole matter to your consideration." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and call the police, let the police find what they can.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the one as in the other." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" man. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced so.' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any questionable one." nothing of it?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of annoyance, but no jest. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the his forehead." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "And what then?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an yards of it?' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We eat it." do.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no to-night." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "And for present expenses?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. of." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in waste of energy." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, over here." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I waste of energy." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident it." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have shall not find me ungrateful." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the careless servant girl?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we a little more before I quite committed myself. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, trifles." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" of this gang." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "What are they?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into said he. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "No. His orders were to stay in the house." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "One?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, were new raised from a basin. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once,