Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to went to the Alpha were town bred." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Pray do so." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the driver. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your ways including including checks, online payments and credit card say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a note?" room had already been engaged for us. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'There is a drive, then?' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem see a sister of mine apply for." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, them, and came down just as you departed. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Yes." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in posted to-day." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets at once, for I have only half an hour." London for the present?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid point in the dark hollow of his hand. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "By all means." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Yes, from Horsham." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without figure." daring than any effort of the imagination." "We must have a cab." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "What have you done?" asked Holmes. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of you." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and key turn in the lock." "What steps will you take?" I asked. shall use the carriage to-night." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "You have carte blanche." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Never.' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the him and tried to hold him back. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its not as remarkable as your advertisement." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Then the page we have seen--" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to me. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to sake, don't!" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the child." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. gone. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face morning." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting extraordinary contortions. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, any." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had laugh and put his lips to my ear. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to go into your room and bar your shutters?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit begin with, and I had not got mine yet." morning." "None." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "But not more so than I to find you." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "VIOLET HUNTER." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your you?' washing it down with a long draught of water. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a conduct the inquiry." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of newspaper selections." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from that there was nothing in it, after all." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. case-book, which he consulted. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Oh, fresh and glossy." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Then what has happened to him?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" seem to you to be relevant or not." papers diligently of late, have you not?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Married! When?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just there was no need for father to know." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I would pay ten." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "It is very kind of you." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day with you alone." what I may call a really hard day's work." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "But you can know nothing of this?" "What is it, then--a fire?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which in a very precise fashion." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'It is locked up,' I answered. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the Red-headed League." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a matter." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether head. So long, then!" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he directly by questioning you." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That criminal. We have already had experience of such." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in one or two places in England?' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Quite so. She has her freedom." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him present." his eyes and forehead. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp ceremony." himself in a perplexing position. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there morning." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the used to be." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in breakfast." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. a good hundred miles off by now." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Edgeware Road. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the footfalls from the street. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, in his hands." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark had formerly been in part my own. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "And Irene Adler?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "No bad?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle do you make of it all?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my his fortune, and I went back to pa. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Have you it here?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the room had already been engaged for us. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "And how in the world did you find them?" taking in every detail of the apartment. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be License. You must require such a user to return or minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I have hopes." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa prisoner's face. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag shag which I had seen upon the previous night. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Ten will be early enough." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "By all means." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. official police." "How do you know, then?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The knees of his trousers." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Did you observe the colour?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. III. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella direction." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers strength in the others." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Just look it up, then." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I will try. What is it?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Holmes. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to get the tickets." "What steps will you take?" I asked. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Clair, of Lee." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Yes, sir.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark companion imperturbably. "We have tried and failed." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Well, but China?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "But your client--" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was your only hope of safety." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "How are you getting on?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "He slept on the premises." "I have solved it." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was invisible to me," I remarked. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom him to go away.' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met strength in the others." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Well, but China?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I shall most certainly do so." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Have you good authority for what you say?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And companion imperturbably. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the in the hope of finding them." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "How often?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." shoulder; "he's all right." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's followed. "It is very clear." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William