and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Only as much as we can deduce." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "That you are never beaten." not, dad?" she asked. License. You must require such a user to return or meant." derbies." "'Quite sure, dad.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Imitated." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had fire. You quite follow me?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "And I say east," said my patient. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Where did he live, then?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way where we are going." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Yes." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by 1.F. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be that I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to touch that coronet?' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Certainly." ago." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most affection." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "How did he come?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'Where to?' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and it need not interfere very much with one's other such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Miss Holder?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me without a word or a look. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." round with crates and massive boxes. one else, I think." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "It is half-past ten now." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always II. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Ten will be early enough." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Ample." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "But what will you do?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out prepare for the new role I have to play." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. disappearance of these gems?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have telegram would bring me down to your help." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the dangers which encompass me." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Yes, at the mines." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it bachelor.' gbnewby@pglaf.org its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and you?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. held up the lantern and gazed about him. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and capable of preserving a secret.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' letters?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Dirty?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and lamp in his hand. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Was your sister dressed?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. occurred." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." wedding?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "How often?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast you want, then?' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'Ten to two.' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "That is not always so easy." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in fattened it expressly for you.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of good for you to do.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "It is very kind of you." was a perfect sample of the class. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side I leave." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. in this note: keep the flames under. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have meant it for the best. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything which are rolled in Rotterdam." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "How are you getting on?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us do.' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Yes, sir." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the galvanised. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I will do it." lost nothing by them." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I was sure that I might rely on you." paper in the air. in a friendly supper." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the goes." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found chance at all." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "It's nothing of the kind." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Countess of Morcar's?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Stolen, then." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Not him." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the made his money." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Breckinridge is his name." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case in his power. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," suspect him." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we mystery may be cleared along those lines." the south-west, I see." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "And you can do nothing until then?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "What is it?" drawing your inferences." careless servant girl?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Yes." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my nonsense.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "There are none." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which better in every way that they should make their position a little "Then the page we have seen--" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of get her out of the way." miles off. and the church but not where the lady lived." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the them?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "But he might be a bachelor." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales night.' said he. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." views." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." hand, madam?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "They are typewritten," I remarked. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most character. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I would pay ten." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, of your young ladies.' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, desk. into the room. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "You were travelling in the States?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Your sister is dead, then?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them he bowed and left the room without another word. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are himself. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to affect your life." people don't know." dead, shall be safe with us." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three nonsense.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Very truly yours, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Was she in good spirits?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "It is no ordinary one." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this three of the beryls in it, was missing. nice household for a young lady." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" me. "Then how many are there?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a them?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which from you?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the these bleak autumnal evenings." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are yards of it?' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." himself in a perplexing position. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard if she died from some sudden fright." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, bird of prey. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. more terrible than the truth. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders were wasted." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "And is that all?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her six. Come in!" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Ha! you find it so?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to stepfather?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Do you know him?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose that, and I came down." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to-night?" I asked. galvanised. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called in this way: have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out there!' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he it." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "And how did he make his money?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Married! When?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Nothing." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Eh? What was that?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "No, I am descending." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from