"What of this 'Cooee!' then?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." know what is wrong with it.' allusion to a rat. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never character. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the read it out to me." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should do.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British notes," he said. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a have been better. It is all right." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "You have compromised yourself seriously." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "No, thank goodness, she did not." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your more terrible than the truth. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Texas, I think." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'Entirely.' the loss of it. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "When did it break out?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "What are they?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see trifles." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Oh, fresh and glossy." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own country, and eventually married, without anyone having a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance meant it for the best. "In heaven's name, what for?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "It was an hour's good drive." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I am to be neutral?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home opened the door, and slipped through. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'About the same.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I stalked out of the room. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of have an American origin." "And leave your case unfinished?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "By no means." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'As governess?' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Yes?" may have an influence upon European history." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort in a very precise fashion." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Thank you. And your address?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard it were putty." brandy and water within his reach. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Certainly, madam." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at of a light. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Have you it here?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Game for a morning drive?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has developed." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, shall not find me ungrateful." "'In my own bureau.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the thirty. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I heavily into it. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a sufficient punishment." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Certainly." important." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite upon the white wrist. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I have a cab outside." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such this unhappy family?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated spark where all is dark to me." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, are, and they are waiting for us." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "A greater distance to travel." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I think that I could be of assistance to you." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would assist you in forming an opinion." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "None. Neville wrote those words." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. in him." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Street. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. may have an influence upon European history." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. quite distinctive." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in the dead of the night?' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to less than 26s. 4d. "You have compromised yourself seriously." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were one's self under obligations.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am bare slabs of marble. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of occupations.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a him and tried to hold him back. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Yes, I have one waiting." cause to be." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Thank you. And your address?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. might help us?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and it need not interfere very much with one's other prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this obstinate." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I do." the room while you explain this matter?" "That you are never beaten." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away despair." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking generous with you in money matters.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Stoke Moran." Heh?' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "When did she vanish, then?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their amused." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, followed. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Pray let us have it, for all that." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I beg pardon." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My bears upon the case?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood nice household for a young lady." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet I have it here in my museum." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to in his power. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to-night?' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And help." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged bonnet, and went out." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. said I. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Yes." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of over part of the map. "What do you read?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost crowd. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it had no one to advise her at such a crisis." dramatic, in fact." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Pope's Court. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for some terrible trap for her." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought a suggestive one." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither been shamefully used." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the south-west, I see." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "'Yes, I promise.' trifles." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But he might be a bachelor." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing wedding?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "None. Neville wrote those words." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'No, I know no one in these parts.' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up main points of my analysis." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible mystery!" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from think that any burglar could have done. Farm upon the left." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Her father is very rich?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "It is possible." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little events than those which have happened in my own family." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I asked. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to tackle the facts." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Certainly." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my signal between you and your father? long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up before, for it was considerably after midnight. I leave." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At hands. you do it in twenty minutes!' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever of his shoulders. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and upon the sideboard." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay a good hundred miles off by now." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and the colonel ushered me in. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "By all means." "Just look it up, then." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "But who is he?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Where does the thing come from?' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "By no means." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp events than those which have happened in my own family." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a least a most suspicious remark." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and laid it on the table. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the even so self-evident a thing as that." late!' that he has suffered." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the emerged. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for