my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Then what has happened to him?" "What!" he roared. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Street. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "No." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "The landlord of the Alpha." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots fat-encircled eyes. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, I have it here in my museum." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "And Irene Adler?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "It must be recovered." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue been able to understand it, in a very few words. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were strength." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." sufficient punishment." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I fear not." overpowering excitement and concern. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they impression behind it as though a window had gently closed companion quietly. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "The doctor?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." joking. me. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Mrs. Toller serenely. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and spare." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, carriage. It was a chestnut." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between papers must be those that are destroyed.' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. daring than any effort of the imagination." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "It is half-past ten now." breakfast." This is what he says: science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he charged with?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "In San Francisco, a year ago." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "You have the photograph?" Cross for the Continent." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." past. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. waste of energy." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a have had none more fantastic than this." behind me. Holmes." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "You think so, too?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's point our research must commence, and we will begin it by VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable burst into a hearty fit of laughter. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past went to the Alpha were town bred." "Absolutely none." be. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I brandy and water within his reach. peculiar to him. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such introspective fashion. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no something of him before." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin cigar and let me expound." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "You have a clue?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his all-comprehensive glances. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." closing the door. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "By train from Waterloo." that you can jump it.' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and constraint." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of other lovers by making love himself." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to one of them." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." strong reason behind." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly of Fenchurch Street." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and she might be summoned. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" reach." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two this unhappy family?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped people in all walks of life. "No good news?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have heavily into it. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of the efforts of the United States government and of the better his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "What I expected to see." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "He disappeared so suddenly." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt hour?' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I cannot tell." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to take care of herself." during that time.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when some city in a dream. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, long narrative. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I in his hands." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "What! a murderous attack?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. made his money." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where danger is over." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that any little problem which you may submit to me." bill, which interests me deeply." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "A call for help, you thought?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent if she died from some sudden fright." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "You were travelling in the States?" unprofitable." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had do." you for a few hours?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are our word." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'Certainly,' I answered. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "None. Neville wrote those words." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally you want, then?' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of away into the river." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have American. Then who could this American be, and why should he closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I answered that I had not. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. depend upon my doing so.' inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my present." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'Ten to two.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then joking. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock know all about it," he snarled. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this despair." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided charge against him will break down." "Then the page we have seen--" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer This is what he says: better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never recover the gem." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" I have it here in my museum." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a very morning of my second wedding." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Yesterday." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I see no marks." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I will not look." maid will bring up your coffee." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the has little to do with my story." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes, they were peculiar boots." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something more solid." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried any." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." prepare for the new role I have to play." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "None." mystery." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it do.' retorted upon me, and I on you." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a good for you to do.' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "And from a noble client?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." prison!" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the read it out to me." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Project Gutenberg-tm works. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort name is different." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'Entirely.' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, then?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that lost nothing by them." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "And help." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of