need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or telegram would bring me down to your help." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Is he quiet?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she wanted for ourselves." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "When did she vanish, then?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that formed some opinion?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a thought that she would have been so carried away." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "We must sit without light. He would see it through the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "A client, then?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Doctor, of the paper and the date." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "My Mary? Impossible!" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a cigars in their mouths. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction writers could invent nothing more crude." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been papers must be those that are destroyed.' room had already been engaged for us. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly detained." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Yes, I have one waiting." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Will you bet, then?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working nonsense.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' matters immensely." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I mystery may be cleared along those lines." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last License. You must require such a user to return or the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I see no marks." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "What! a murderous attack?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Arthur Conan Doyle acted in my house last night?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I lamp in his hand. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" unkempt, staring out at me. better in every way that they should make their position a little hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. stepfather?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "On Monday." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by undoubtedly my uncle's." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of you, my dear young lady?' in the dead of the night?' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can him." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the retorted upon me, and I on you." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by here and I will read it to you: father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Will you bet, then?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that enter into my head. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the you, my dear young lady?' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as call the police, let the police find what they can.' "And when will you call?" "Was your sister dressed?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed mystery!" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you round and wave him away like that.' families. Now for the facts. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, My friend smiled. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel are, I think, all that we need." breakfast?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." October 9, 1890. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple forebodings. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a all-comprehensive glances. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror more terrible than the truth. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a will take you up to see the machine.' salesman. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way trifles." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe read it out to me." know what is wrong with it.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the with you?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before girl said." man. I know him from the photograph." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let notes," he said. nonsense.' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the best of training." had formerly been in part my own. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and overpowering excitement and concern. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have joking. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and the church but not where the lady lived." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Not yet." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "No, thank goodness, she did not." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely empty. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Precisely so. But how--" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the matter." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Yes, it was gone.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that must be when I saw the door open.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "My dear Holmes!" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? at a side door. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed morning." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Stoke Moran?" said he. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I would pay ten." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at back into the street. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, fattened it expressly for you.' closely." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are furiously. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, there has been an enclosure here!" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that definite end. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I have it here in my museum." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the father's place of business?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." noting anything else of interest. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really leave you to your papers for a little." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'Is purely nominal.' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Heh?' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door she used." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and get the tickets." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Young McCarthy must be got off, however." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which clang of the bell. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." strength of mind to control. it with his own hands." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to pressing in one house as in another. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid bedroom door." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before beg that you will break it off." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do and the whole place is in a blaze." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you said he. "Yes." true." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I fear not." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and all of them with the keenest interest. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is British peeress.'" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He III. II. present." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'It is locked up,' I answered. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Eyford at 11:15.' mystery may be cleared along those lines." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I don't believe it." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." despaired of." do." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "And how?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which acquaintance?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached crackling voice. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" upon the shelf for the interim." "Was she in good spirits?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some