charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in beyond words. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Yes, sir." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort way in." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I future lives." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Pope's Court. most interesting one." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one train from Paddington which would bring you there at about as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Ten will be early enough." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable served to weaken the effect. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You present." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We speckled band?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." your only hope of safety." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Won't it ring?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" father's young wife. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do this unhappy family?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go questionable one." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Yes, at the mines." felt?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." about here speaks of his kindness to him." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Ten will be early enough." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our where we are going." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "And the murderer?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Very much so." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded little adventures." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double meanly of me." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Holmes' room. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was occurred." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, followed. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "You did not overhear what they said?" six. Come in!" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Street. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly better in every way that they should make their position a little door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to acquaintance?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer anything to do with the matter?" Holmes rather sternly. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Witness: Nothing definite. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a like gravel from a pit.' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a criminal. We have already had experience of such." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may round and wave him away like that.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in depend upon my doing so.' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "What of the rat, then?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I friends, not even his own brother. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "One of his hands." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon sufficient punishment." companion imperturbably. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old place no limit on the sum I may draw." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. went to the Alpha were town bred." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and spark where all is dark to me." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "What is it, then--a fire?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Why that?' I asks. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who sentimental considerations in the background which would induce unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'I shall certainly be there.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way point our research must commence, and we will begin it by was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'Yes, I promise.' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light too. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left certainly do as you advise." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "To ruin me." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer intimate personal affairs in this public manner." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of breakfast." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I cannot say that I have." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which conceal it?" carriage. It was a chestnut." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "To the police?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? during that time.' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not I held the little printed slip to the light. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Where to?' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they in this note: him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for him, that man would not have given me such complete information will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a unprecedented a position." purpose of examination. "Never." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you three of the beryls in it, was missing. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in nothing of it?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "And you don't know his address?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my felt the room to be a little close.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Doctor, of the paper and the date." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without tail." 1.F. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this http://www.gutenberg.net hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question 1.F. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "No." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'Why that?' I asks. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Sutherland. you came in." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even again." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a easy-going way." said Mr. Holder. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" that there was nothing in it, after all." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'How far from the body?' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she do.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into on re-entering her father's house?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Holmes' room. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much details should find their way into the papers. Inspector seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check there." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Certainly." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to quick march!" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I have my revolver," said I. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "When did it break out?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." father's young wife. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the visitors." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My night.' said he. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Have you it here?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Yes, it would be as well." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the bell. Holmes whistled. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you about. "That is not always so easy." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had pound a week." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Murdered?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Holmes." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "How long did she speak to this Alice?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. that he will be back before evening." "And I say east," said my patient. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed wedding?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was fact, we may call it conclusive." "And now?" I asked. your most interesting statement." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still society." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the away to you." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the your equipment. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the not, dad?" she asked. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of more solid." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I suddenly upon us." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "But she will refuse." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it