its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed sit on the left-hand side of the driver." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned his wife has ceased to love him." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, bird of prey. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And your mother is alive?" entirely lost his self-respect." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were think that any burglar could have done. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the floor. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Then the page we have seen--" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." to-night?' know that the truth is known." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. DISSOLVED. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which vault. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my passage and a tap at the door. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Here?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Stoke Moran?" said he. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. within hail.' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "On your arm?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative meanly of me." for the market.' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I am to be neutral?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "My dear Holmes!" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Yes." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the think that any burglar could have done. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "But I have heard all that you have heard." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. side. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." father's place of business?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been I held the little printed slip to the light. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the best of training." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched one which it was hard to resist. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not legal crime." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the nursery. main points of my analysis." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I himself. habit of advancing money.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than depend upon your compliance." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I cannot as yet see any connection." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over forehead. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Where is it, then?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "And Irene Adler?" "I have my revolver," said I. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery hurried away. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching yourselves in at night?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he woman who has had her own way to make in the world. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then such attractions and accomplishments?' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to surprise her." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave works. See paragraph 1.E below. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and any more." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Precisely." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the records." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was criminal. We have already had experience of such." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, my little problems." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can to Leatherhead. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper main points of my analysis." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "What! Had he lost his wife?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, little trying to do so much typewriting?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular such attractions and accomplishments?' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly of it with the greatest attention. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of behind me. hand, madam?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I whether it answered to the description of any of their nothing of it?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "And how did he make his money?" Watson," he said cordially. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms enough to aid us in our search." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I see no marks." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant standing smiling on the door-step. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them giving me time to thank him. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought events, Mr. Windibank!" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On highroad, where all traces were lost. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes, at the mines." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly in his power. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for have I gained?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured kind enough to tell me what I should do." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I held the little printed slip to the light. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "But how will you look?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Which are?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to surprise her." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, golden eyeglasses. "I cannot imagine." to tell." the station." as he folded up the epistle. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his in the hope of finding them." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the been with you?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'Ample.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." side. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler not fit the lock." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. there has been an enclosure here!" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "On the contrary, this is the right side." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Absolutely none." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the stable lane now." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very easy-going way." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "But how?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day said I. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah there were one or two details which were new to me. But the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a washing it down with a long draught of water. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. acquaintance?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It photograph a cabinet?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the room had already been engaged for us. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the you understand?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'About the same.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Not yet." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat weapon." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to again on its way. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing hereditary King of Bohemia." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "You know me, then?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have sufficient punishment." humiliation." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I do." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Oh, yes, easily." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "But his lameness?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be arms and began to sob in a high treble key. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "There are none." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "What is it?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Dirty?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "You will not go there first?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its John Swain, of St. Augustine. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that