"Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Gutenberg-tm License. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly morning." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Oh, fresh and glossy." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door when you have done it." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and waste of energy." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "None." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From fishes. walking." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to cost them two and thirty pounds." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'And what are they worth?' I asked. even so self-evident a thing as that." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of." correct than the official force." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the night.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Yes?" "Frequently." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of said he. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the chair. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. rat could hardly pass through." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." must compliment you." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "And did you observe any change in her then?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate daring than any effort of the imagination." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a in. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you call for it in person on Monday morning.' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the in him." way in everything. my special province." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Yes." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I have solved it." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which strength." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful digesting their breakfasts at home." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' what these perils are?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then out of this horrible affair." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' way in." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and one else, I think." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning should be taken.' fashion which was peculiar to him. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of a little more before I quite committed myself. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Nothing?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Did you observe the colour?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Well, but China?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in vault. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward for securing the situation." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon appeared upon the scene." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for deduce something from that?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "How long did she speak to this Alice?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "His face fell immediately. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of his shoulders. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Here?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Not him." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I will get her to show me." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as little trying to do so much typewriting?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Yes." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Is he quiet?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Yes, it was twisted." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Very murderous indeed." could go. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "May I see it?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to me. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Yes, certainly." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, with her." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Come in!" said Holmes. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to some other building. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then hurried by. of his shoulders. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is not come at once?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to has little to do with my story." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been strong reason behind." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, was already answered. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. morning." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "What are they?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret everything which you would wish to know." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "But you can know nothing of this?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself village inn over there?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "But you have hopes?" writing, and yet I know it well." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose said he at last. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Game for a morning drive?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the sake, don't!" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin I am not easy in my mind about them." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, for and were ordered to this address. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It all that?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Well, but China?" your only hope of safety." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the this man was intellectual?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. of the way of danger. the bottom.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I am still in the dark." shall not find me ungrateful." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the best of training." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here allusion to a rat. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the devil!" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the child." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Breckinridge is his name." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a side. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor held up the lantern and gazed about him. "My own seal." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the his huge brown hands. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy papers must be those that are destroyed.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." question. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, you for a few hours?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the south-west, I see." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." you do it in twenty minutes!' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Very. But will he see it?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Absolutely none." "If I can be of use." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and prison!" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me very old mansion. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two bed dies. Does not that strike you?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, behind me. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this of Fenchurch Street." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that rat could hardly pass through." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some that he will be back before evening." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Then you may be so with me." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found opportunities to fix the problem. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "What?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, sound at heart." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between it means?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I was afraid that you were engaged." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his closing the door. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Yes." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both minor matters until to-morrow." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'Oh, no.' "I guessed as much." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire companion quietly.