hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "You are hungry," I remarked. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good been able to understand it, in a very few words. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been public press." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I was concerned in it." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right astonishment. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard stalked out of the room. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "A call for help, you thought?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "A greater distance to travel." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "That also I could fathom." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover bled considerably." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." said I. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all foresight and the moral retrogression?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Nothing." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Holmes' room. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his meant." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Why did you beat the pavement?" had formerly been in part my own. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Never to return." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an tell them apart.' "What are they?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't This is what he says: "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but recover the gem." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "And is that all?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, overpowering excitement and concern. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our has little to do with my story." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may should be so warm over such a trifle." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case wife's character?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I have seen the police." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'Is purely nominal.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "She showed me, as I told you she would." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "How can you tell that?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I was mad--insane." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the one as in the other." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, when you have done it." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "And on what day did he meet his death?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Miss Holder?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic union?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and no precautions can guard against." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Street. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "What can it mean?" I gasped. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I will not look." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "You have the photograph?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not one else, I think." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "How are you getting on?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my thin, with a long, sharp nose?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Nor running a chance of arrest?" when you have done it." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he over with notes and figures. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you trifles." "From his hat?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Well, it is a possible supposition." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'Ample.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to chemical work which was so dear to him. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of been shamefully used." "It is a murder, then?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Yes, that is the Crown." visitors." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. foresight and the moral retrogression?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The matters immensely." danger is over." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "To ruin me." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "That also I could fathom." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or families. Now for the facts. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit here and I will read it to you: very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Very. But will he see it?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "No." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We use an arc-and-compass breastpin." again before evening." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached whereabouts. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord been with you?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that up this clue while it is still hot." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" of your young ladies.' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "10th. John Swain cleared. "Precisely." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Quite so." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "No?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "It is no ordinary one." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away bled considerably." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed was it brought him the coronet? "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Ten will be early enough." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I cannot as yet see any connection." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Here?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" as he folded up the epistle. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "And how did he make his money?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Pope's Court. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "What office?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my throat." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Well." look dissatisfied." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Yes, only one." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "By no means." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Then he might have called to you?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have trifles." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless him and tried to hold him back. my former friend and companion. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I am following you closely," I answered. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in instituted." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "And it is--" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "None." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. detective. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress mysterious end." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the address that was given us in the advertisement. to have been novel and of interest." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Yes, I promise.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a in his hands." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and effective." the house with me." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Not him." the matter." "Precisely so. But how--" criminal. We have already had experience of such." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure his fortune, and I went back to pa. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. a room. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "A confidential servant?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in that?' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. there." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "A greater distance to travel." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "May I see it?" "Will you bet, then?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Again Holmes raved in the air. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low standing smiling on the door-step. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the one as in the other." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of one else, I think." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case answered with a sidelong glance. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Yes." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "That is unusual in a young girl." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Will you bet, then?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "My dear Holmes!" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I shall communicate with you." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out you." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the very morning of the wedding." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I