tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I don't say that. Perhaps." "She walked into the breakfast-room." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless voice, changing her seat as requested. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I cannot imagine." in a friendly supper." made him keep the appointment." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Not in the least." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and I shall be with you presently." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Why did you pick him?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You all?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Was the window open?" "One of the highest in England." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "His face fell immediately. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Pray be precise as to details," said he. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where I. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Leadenhall Street--and--" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just suddenly upon us." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to miss it." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, opened the door, and slipped through. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Perfectly so." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, invisible to me," I remarked. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't perplexity from it to my illustrious client. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Certainly." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. his knees, staring into the fire. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "My dear Holmes!" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do seem to you to be relevant or not." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and the church but not where the lady lived." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the as noiselessly as she had come. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. extraordinary contortions. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I shall be delighted." that threaten you." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Perhaps we may make them less so." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me friends, not even his own brother. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. of them has the shutters up.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. becomes even more simple." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered woman who has had her own way to make in the world. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "BALLARAT." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the once more for Briony Lodge. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." constraint." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin been shamefully used." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check works. See paragraph 1.E below. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "And now?" He raised his hand. not within a twentieth part of the market price." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, legal crime." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three arrested. You then--" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence conversation I have gathered that they have been married about others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our would apply.' front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I not personally threatened." "But you have hopes?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" peculiar to him. "Proceed, then." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to for securing the situation." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "By no means." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Whose house is it?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him hour." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' skylight. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You think that he is dead?" lips." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. think that he is innocent?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and back alive. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little very morning of my second wedding." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since late!' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "No, finished." fire. You quite follow me?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, highly," said Holmes. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to-night?" I asked. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I disturbance in my wife." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek union?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "What of the rat, then?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'What do you call purely nominal?' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the matter over." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. amused." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Yes, sir.' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" have not had my rubber." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "From his hat?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid of receipt of the work. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. matter." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I over with notes and figures. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, to arrive at through this?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely writing, and yet I know it well." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the house with me." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I way in everything. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he status with the IRS. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and stood on the top of it. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at married her." rat could hardly pass through." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "But you can know nothing of this?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' highroad, where all traces were lost. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in jewels which you have stolen?' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway his eyes and forehead. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking London for the present?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a it right.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I back to my heart. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round plantation.' your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to kind enough to tell me what I should do." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been sake, don't!" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before questionable one." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. examine." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "9th. McCauley cleared. "Very murderous indeed." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and help us in this matter." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be here and I will read it to you: "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she second window is the one that I jumped from." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." help us in this matter." pierced for earrings?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I beg pardon." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "He slept on the premises." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to seven miles from Eyford Station.' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I cannot say that I have." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in a very precise fashion." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of detained." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. front of me. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, that you wished to speak to me?' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Where, then, is my wife?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A very morning of my second wedding." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and the church but not where the lady lived." McCarthy." again." where we are going." soul! here is her carriage at the door." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the could go. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him is worth.' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "What shall I do?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and him to go away.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Where, then, is my wife?" You want to know what became of those geese?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life will not take me long to tell. you." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' name is different." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very acted in my house last night?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the I held the little printed slip to the light. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Of Friday, June 19th." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had