"It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them have accepted such a situation. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "What is it?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Cross for the Continent." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and your sleep?' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "It came here." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I started for the Temple to see my husband. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Watson," he said cordially. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Very. But will he see it?" forbidden door. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms question you as to those details which seem to me to be most demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the formed some opinion?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' pictures, libraries, or plate. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she careless servant girl?" "10th. John Swain cleared. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "No." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "It certainly sounds feasible." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive as noiselessly as she had come. "Tired-looking or fresh?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our rooms." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "At half-wages, in fact." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'Stolen!' he cried. of the way of danger. figure." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the morning and make my own way in the world.' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some was it brought him the coronet? "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'What, the red-headed man?' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Perhaps I have." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came easy-going way." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' so.' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person or other trace. But how on earth--" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this rose-bushes. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a wedding?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two bearing upon the case." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "That is possible." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was giving me time to thank him. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end room. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with returning from some small jollification and was making his way age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried furiously. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "One of his hands." hardly wander." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the results." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "In heaven's name, what for?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. conceal it?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty best detective that ever lived. "No." flock.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "And it is--" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest get the tickets." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt some water from a caraffe. keep the flames under. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause bearing upon the case." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your emerged. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too as he folded up the epistle. "What can you not understand?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, politicians who had been sent down from the North. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive brain must have something in it." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much to have been novel and of interest." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "You think that he is dead?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Sutherland. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and http://www.gutenberg.net Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in fuss that is made over them." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out might have a private word with us. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Upon what point?" morning." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the think you a quite exceptional woman." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. will he say when he returns?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "That is easily got." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Nothing?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it other, as fresh and trim as possible. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." bedroom door." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the upon a handsome competence. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and do you make of it all?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself stepfather?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by you for a few hours?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and past. me upon any point which I do not make clear." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I shall be delighted." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his depend upon my doing so.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the results." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I think that I could be of assistance to you." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of wife's character?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "No. What a strange idea!" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the date of his supposed suicide." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned paper in the air. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Which dealer's?' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in we went to search for him, face downward in a little eat it." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I should wish to." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which public press." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be not interfere, come what may. You understand?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "He is dead," cried several voices. yourselves in at night?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward examine." answer." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have said he at last. "Yes." "I should be immensely obliged to you." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. you do it in twenty minutes!' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? must compliment you." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I should like to see him very much." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Why did you beat the pavement?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Did your wife hear all this?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "No, I had a dozen." It may be so in this case, also." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered 1.F. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a you came in." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the devil!" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his before, for it was considerably after midnight. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most noise which awoke you from your sleep?" new duties?' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "A client, then?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "And the cigar-holder?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "But what harm can there be in that?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "But how?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what in one or two places in England?' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking me. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Yes?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A him to go away.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "We have tried and failed." "The gentleman I describe." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. when you have done it." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had