client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' stood on the top of it. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "My stepfather's business papers." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Entirely.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His voice. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the other, as fresh and trim as possible. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "To an English lawyer named Norton." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings salesman. could go. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "What! a murderous attack?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Miss Holder?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told when you have done it." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." fattened it expressly for you.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend key turn in the lock." mysterious end." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story indeed which he could not unravel. in my life." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, as he remarks, very much against the son." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and detective. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I distinguish the words: "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "You heard nothing yourself last night?" a little more before I quite committed myself. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and some terrible trap for her." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into all that?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and or in danger--" "You saw the ventilator, too?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in once more for Briony Lodge. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be points to suicide?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "What, then?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "To an end?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and go back?" will he say when he returns?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a is," said he presently: pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. heavy and sharp instrument." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "It was." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the problems help me to do so." been deceived." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the it." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy touch that coronet?' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole him and tried to hold him back. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small our word." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "One of the highest in England." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "What!" he roared. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Yes, sir.' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured him to be an active member of the medical profession." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from what is your own theory as to what took place?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but learned something! Where are the gems?" giving me time to thank him. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the running down." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "How did he come?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Very well, sir. And this stone?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the Assizes." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, results." noting anything else of interest. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I assure you that I am in your hands." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the with some details as to your case." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "I have come for advice." "Only as much as we can deduce." What do you deduce from it?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a bedroom door." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully dead, shall be safe with us." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'Ten to two.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an outside." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than tell them apart.' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I held the little printed slip to the light. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Were they all fastened this morning?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "And Irene Adler?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Why, what do you mean?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal without a word or a look. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make 'please.'" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough distance from the station, and there we found the young lady while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I cannot tell." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "No." examine." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' in his power. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is anything to a woman, for she would have her way." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand returned to France?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a as this. Pray let me have the details." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the bottom.' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for already referred to. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate extraordinary contortions. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And that is--" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business power." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his about here speaks of his kindness to him." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the room while you explain this matter?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." nights." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "In what way?" asked Holmes. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I will do it." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. taking in every detail of the apartment. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on round and wave him away like that.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all question," said Holmes, smiling. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? purpose equally well?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "So I have heard." "Was there a secret marriage?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Then I can wait in the next room." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "What! You do not mean bodies?" seen the man in the road." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the whole matter to your consideration." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning room. "The vanishing of the lady." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "In answer to an advertisement." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I say it is." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora in darkness. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts morning." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the begun to whiten, even as mine has." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into forbidden door. "In the cells." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You will not go there first?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past with some details as to your case." written, and locked the door of the office after me. photograph?" "What then?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight back alive. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. weighed down with some great anxiety. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of your young ladies.' "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "You horrify me!" case-book, which he consulted. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my whether it answered to the description of any of their coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the station." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Did you become engaged then?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, observed. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Then he might have called to you?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some desk. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is when your master had gone out." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'What do you call purely nominal?' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Well, some hundreds of times." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'Yes.' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this writing, and yet I know it well." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I entirely devoid of interest." "And your mother is alive?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And the murderer?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Then he might have called to you?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event on re-entering her father's house?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he foresight and the moral retrogression?" awaited us upon the table. would apply.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and the colonel ushered me in. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a wedding?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon were new raised from a basin. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the or in danger--" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to