"Then I am your man." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my in one or two places in England?' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." there was no need for father to know." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. opportunities to fix the problem. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Pray do so." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Will you go?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "To an English lawyer named Norton." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness once more for Briony Lodge. ceremony." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for ordinary clothes on?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It question you as to those details which seem to me to be most once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I cannot tell." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their information in his hands the value of which he did not himself father's place of business?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I fluttered off among the others. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "By no means." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Yes, they were peculiar boots." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, visitors." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I cannot imagine." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the morning." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Where to?" security.' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the some terrible trap for her." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming province." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will dear old homesteads?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a with the outside air!" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few guilty one." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already night.' said he. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the giving me time to thank him. carried out of court." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow country, and eventually married, without anyone having a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "It is his hat." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with south, for the country is more deserted there." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger forebodings. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia ourselves in the office." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I saw her in conversation with her maid." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that enter Dr. Roylott's room." outbreak?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'Yes, it was gone.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Here?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "My dear Holmes!" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "You have but to name it." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to once more to my work. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing did not hear it also.' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "An accident, I presume?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" danger is over." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. know all about it," he snarled. "From his hat?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Not him." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up populous neighbourhood." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and rat could hardly pass through." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" should be so warm over such a trifle." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and my little problems." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had 1.E.9. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" round with crates and massive boxes. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water passage and a tap at the door. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'What do you call purely nominal?' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Precisely." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with what do you think they found in the pockets?" night.' said he. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the gbnewby@pglaf.org offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been something of him before." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Not in the least." that he has suffered." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only better grown goose." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The derbies." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes." "My dear Holmes!" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat help us in this matter." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Not I." dates and names. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "None." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less might help us?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he that there was nothing in it, after all." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some details should find their way into the papers. Inspector received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes I shall continue with my miserable story. him. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I have established a very serious case against the son of the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No legal papers or certificates?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I promise," said Holmes. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Yes." "Then I shall certainly come." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. British peeress.'" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their telegram would bring me down to your help." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother questionable one." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Then I shall certainly come." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the Red-headed League." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and families. Now for the facts. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It is no ordinary one." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six begun to whiten, even as mine has." posted to-day." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "About a month then." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, outsides of the windows. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and wedding?" eavesdroppers?' what is your own theory as to what took place?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since eat it." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "No bad?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Dr. Becher's." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You did not overhear what they said?" here and I will read it to you: saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "You have the photograph?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that one else, I think." "Precisely so. But how--" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "How can you tell that?" "Not in a good cause." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It is possible." six. Come in!" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Has he come with you to-night?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's standing smiling on the door-step. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second garden below. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather kindly on the shoulder. at home. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be is," said he presently: destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I am all attention, madam." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and tapping his fingers upon the table. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his burst out into a roar of laughter. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I morning." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. fashion which was peculiar to him. instincts rose up against that laugh. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic him and tried to hold him back. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come to-night?' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Have you her photograph?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and memory. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She to me. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "And from a noble client?" client, rising. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic shall not find me ungrateful." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I cannot imagine." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "The rest you will leave in our hands." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "How did that help you?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known