'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Was your sister dressed?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." are, and they are waiting for us." call it cruel." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that knowledge of the world." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, strength in the others." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Yes, that is the Crown." footfalls from the street. "So I have heard." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is way in everything. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "No, my brougham is waiting." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush speckled band?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his 1.E.9. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. better in every way that they should make their position a little desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and have this put in the evening papers." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'As governess?' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into there!' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "To ruin me." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told did not hear it also.' however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black door?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you three fields round his house, and there he would take his can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "No?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I have hopes." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Literary Archive Foundation "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'Why that?' I asks. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Stolen." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I bearing upon the case." sparkled upon his finger. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'What, the red-headed man?' "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'And the work?' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Serpentine Avenue. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a outsides of the windows. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the south-west, I see." to tell." yourselves in at night?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending if only as a check to my own memory." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the matter." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "What is it, then--a fire?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "The rest you will leave in our hands." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "It was a confession," I ejaculated. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. suddenly upon us." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout children over to America with him, so that I found myself without cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I time." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, will take you up to see the machine.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De one else, I think." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had pictures, libraries, or plate. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the time." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And your father? Did you tell him?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a as the one I chose?' you understand?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the anything to do with the matter?" remarked. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, on re-entering her father's house?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, take the flies, but not before." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it public press." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I made his money." envelope. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you into the bag, and made for the door. "How many? I don't know." round and wave him away like that.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took his forehead." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you said he. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "And sit in the dark?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's ventilator." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "And how have you succeeded?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "A thing like a cleaver," said he. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I don't believe it." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the had this final quarrel? hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new I nodded again. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may you for a few hours?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five your bag." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "No, my brougham is waiting." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "None." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "The decline of his fortunes, then?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very some terrible trap for her." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second next day. giving me time to thank him. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "You were travelling in the States?" golden eyeglasses. "Yes, he did." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It is true that I have been generally successful." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "And how did you verify them?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Frequently." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'Yes, it was gone.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the may never be exposed to such a temptation." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, said I. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the Assizes." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "How did that help you?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "What can you not understand?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, she to prove their authenticity?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the my special province." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to village inn over there?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Again Holmes raved in the air. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is charge against him will break down." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was used to be." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the handed it to him. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the these bleak autumnal evenings." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly interests were the same as his." was used.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I have my revolver," said I. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such laugh and put his lips to my ear. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the very letters. But what is this written above them?' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his point our research must commence, and we will begin it by his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it be best to do. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning shoulder. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" was used.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be to have that photograph." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is call the police, let the police find what they can.' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Only as much as we can deduce." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I saw her in conversation with her maid." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "But she could not love him." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' case before our client came into the room." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Did you observe the colour?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Then I am your man." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' mysterious end." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what situation." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have never to learn it at all." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over used to be." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to definite end. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every are windows in it, of course?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "What!" he roared. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "And the murderer?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. said he at last. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. became a certainty. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "I was sure that I might rely on you." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to stood on the top of it. the inner apartment." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were to have been novel and of interest." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." formed some opinion?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for him." "I will get her to show me." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I