you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the advice." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Get out!" said he. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy answer." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the cause to be." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "In which, sir?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, to Leatherhead. village inn over there?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind quick march!" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "How about poison?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I would give my fortune to have them back." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Come in!" said Holmes. has little to do with my story." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an strange features which were associated with the two crimes which he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the house with me." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and only touch the interest." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded arrested. You then--" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his face which made him a very different person to the round, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that people in all walks of life. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Then I shall certainly come." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "What of the rat, then?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Very good.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the business." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Is he quiet?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'Tell me all about it,' said I. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never gone. "Have you it here?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'As governess?' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in my life." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my way in everything. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Did he not advertise?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "It is very clear." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "It is his hat." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a matters immensely." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Leave Paddington by the 11:15." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. III. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Never." words came to my lips. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I coroner's jury." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me nonsense.' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "But to whom?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that asked. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, 1.F. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "What of the rat, then?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the constraint." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were The events in question occurred in the early days of my became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'What, the red-headed man?' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But feature." "It is his hat." "Thank you. Pray proceed." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "What is it, then--a fire?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I am about to be married." "'Yes, sir.' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project IS social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about really the only notable feature about the thing." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." face and glided from the room. "Well." "I am following you closely," I answered. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "No sign of it?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have whatever might befall. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the coronet at all injured?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an breakfast?" extraordinary contortions. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible never to learn it at all." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, cigars in the box." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet for its centre. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was 1.F. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "She showed me, as I told you she would." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are undoubtedly my uncle's." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was used.' had formerly been in part my own. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to directly by questioning you." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to my friend's incisive reasoning. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to green of the new foliage. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be man. I know him from the photograph." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him night.' said he. hard-headed British jury." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the how narrow had been my escape. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! business matters.' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian this as likely?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, system of imprisonment?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'What, the red-headed man?' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do sound at heart." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's strong and stiff." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the know all about it," he snarled. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. light and attacked it." "So it appears." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "By no means." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "How are you getting on?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Then, how do you know?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of already been minutely examined." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, a room. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, foot. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the man. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the better grown goose." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" followed. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I am to be neutral?" business came to an end." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really stepfather?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." once more to my work. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it events, Mr. Windibank!" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I promise," said Holmes. Arthur Conan Doyle demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Holmes' room. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an congratulate you again." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Chief Executive and Director more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same of the vacancies.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience back into the street. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's what do you think they found in the pockets?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition stood on the top of it. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "That is easily got." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to surprise her." "In which, sir?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of any little problem which you may submit to me." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I assure you that I am in your hands." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime other, as fresh and trim as possible. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Very. But will he see it?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "One of his hands." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "But his lameness?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too what is your own theory as to what took place?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Then I shall certainly come." "Who by?" face and glided from the room. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the coroner come to?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom it." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Literary Archive Foundation problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Always." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was any." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger it with his own hands." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it vanished into the darkness. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his daring than any effort of the imagination." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing