"9th. McCauley cleared. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the open." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the down. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss enter Dr. Roylott's room." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates once more to my work. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the child." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for daring than any effort of the imagination." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "It's nothing of the kind." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in it." relief. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Nothing." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" way in." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away which our visitor detailed to us. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Where is it, then?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall His name is Francis Prosper." chamber." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Pray do so." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position seven miles from Eyford Station.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "How did he come?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small when you have done it." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be observed. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" to a light-house. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "And Irene Adler?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "No, I am descending." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Your French gold?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Arthur Conan Doyle have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "But not more so than I to find you." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." have an American origin." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which business matters.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Miss Holder?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "There is the writing." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "How can you tell that?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Clair, of Lee." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round know that the truth is known." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "But I am all in the dark." Munro.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, said I. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a bonnet, and went out." "The King of Scandinavia." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, when your master had gone out." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "And how?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, been with you?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Very much so." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. upon a handsome competence. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no points to suicide?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the coroner come to?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a question. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was other means.' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than in the hope of finding them." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their this unhappy family?" "Was your sister dressed?" door?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It is possible." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little dead, shall be safe with us." writers could invent nothing more crude." "No, I am descending." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "No good news?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An sneer upon his pale face. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at fuss that is made over them." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel ordinary clothes on?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. carriage. It was a chestnut." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is cup of tea. letters?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." business at Coburg Square is serious." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. morning." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Certainly." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their annoyance, but no jest. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I think it very unlikely." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking particular state visit http://pglaf.org though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then of." head. So long, then!" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. bird of prey. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could at my own good fortune. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a strength in the others." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. of Fenchurch Street." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." hopeless attempt at recovering them." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the go back?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his him nearly every evening." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Look there!" said he. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Count Von Kramm." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, note?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "You have but to name it." "I say that I have solved it." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Stolen." papers diligently of late, have you not?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is towards the blaze. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the how narrow had been my escape. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer his face. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. place no limit on the sum I may draw." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over indeed happy." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to arrive at through this?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the acted in my house last night?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. upon the white wrist. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle on in his house." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with like that before?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Where is it, then?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand presented more singular features than that which was associated "One horse?" interjected Holmes. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. quite distinctive." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water had died away into the silence from which it rose. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "And from a noble client?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "It is a murder, then?" when you have done it." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he where she found matters as described by the last witness. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. dead, shall be safe with us." "That's no good." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he during the last few years, and there are many noble families to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in problems help me to do so." your Highness to the police-station?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she business came to an end." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I cannot tell." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "And Irene Adler?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was God! What an exposure! What can I do?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after your only hope of safety." to arrive at through this?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Was the window open?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the window, rose as we entered. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, who was a member of your goose club." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?"