"I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the were wasted." face and glided from the room. not fit the lock." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Dirty?" quick march!" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Where is it, then?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled careless servant girl?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "What!" he roared. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An was the fact that his father should, according to his account, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, in the port of London." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I am sure." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view States. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. indeed which he could not unravel. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police never will be, entirely cleared up. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I cannot imagine." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' trying to your nerves." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in you?' my room." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Cross for the Continent." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "And is that all?" get her out of the way." infinite languor in his face. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of front of me. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Precisely so. But how--" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." were new raised from a basin. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "He said that you could solve anything." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders instincts rose up against that laugh. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to approach us with offers to donate. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "And Irene Adler?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the stable lane now." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found interest. They are important, you understand, without being preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of chance." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties side. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of at my remark. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "On the contrary, this is the right side." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Nearly eleven." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He orange pips. hands. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the if I call to-morrow?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Nothing." "Yes." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Ah!" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some of note-paper. It read in this fashion: suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. License. You must require such a user to return or home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Not I." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "No more words. Get out!" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Chief Executive and Director in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, down. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. during which he might have communicated with his friend the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it astonishment. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint emerged. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I cannot tell." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. know that the truth is known." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'Tell me all about it,' said I. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted about here speaks of his kindness to him." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the stammered. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the went to the Alpha were town bred." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the best of training." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "It is a murder, then?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not tell him that I know him to be innocent." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm friends, not even his own brother. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I was concerned in it." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously conduct the inquiry." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB than to us. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between papers diligently of late, have you not?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that locked." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? out." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing peculiar to him. business came to an end." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we bill, which interests me deeply." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Ten will be early enough." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant standing smiling on the door-step. sound at heart." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of public press." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I writers could invent nothing more crude." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that have got?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any back alive. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I was sure that I might rely on you." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was papers on the sundial.'" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and particular state visit http://pglaf.org India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy call it cruel." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the here and I will read it to you: great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Nothing?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and a shock of very red hair. "That's no good." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know tail." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "It looks newer than the other things?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "And when will you call?" the warnings." and that he would see to anything that turned up. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Holmes rather sternly. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more brain must have something in it." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact will take you up to see the machine.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You'll never persuade me to believe that." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Leadenhall Street--and--" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the side-table." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Deserted you?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not this poor creature." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Yes." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'I am sure if I had known--' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will what I may call a really hard day's work." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem woven round him. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office useful material for showing traces. The double line a little sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power me where it went to?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "To an English lawyer named Norton." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall bell. Holmes whistled. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when his face which made him a very different person to the round, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Never." observed. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was weary and pale-looking. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the tightly behind him. fattened it expressly for you.' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you with her." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been served to weaken the effect. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Your French gold?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, your Highness to the police-station?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I forbidden door. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon your room." "You are hungry," I remarked. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a occurred." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come narrative." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we said Mr. Holder. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or dates and names. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in just ask you whether you had heard it.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, became a certainty. "Only as much as we can deduce." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "But how?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said whether it answered to the description of any of their crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and all of them with the keenest interest. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "It's nothing of the kind." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, that there was nothing in it, after all." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to that open window." "The Coroner: What do you mean? upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I vault. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and have this put in the evening papers." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it