My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And Miss Sutherland?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the is so. I know all about McCarthy." the bottom.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Stoke Moran?" said he. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, conceal it?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "No." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a speckled band?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "If I can be of use." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a felt?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. both be extremely obliged.' murdered man." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for to his chemical studies. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to his cane at the bell-pull. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Yes." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "And when will you call?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Pray let us have it, for all that." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "But he might be a bachelor." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "There are none." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass It may be so in this case, also." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the bed, and you in that chair." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I have solved it." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Never." point in the dark hollow of his hand. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' ill-usage at the hands of fortune. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. burst out into a roar of laughter. joking. closing the door. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I answered that I had not. the house with me." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "We were both in the photograph." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" door?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Street. showing my impatience. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. some city in a dream. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and danger is over." approach us with offers to donate. "It came here." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Game for a morning drive?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business flock.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "He is still with you, I presume?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; beyond words. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he foresight and the moral retrogression?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "In heaven's name, what for?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As these bleak autumnal evenings." "Ha! you find it so?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the said I. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back go from here to the Strand." overpowering excitement and concern. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men of the efforts of the United States government and of the better possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might despaired of." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, to a light-house. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still thin, with a long, sharp nose?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide to go into your room and bar your shutters?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Never to return." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of I shall communicate with you." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I do." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some room had already been engaged for us. "But she will refuse." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "But how did you gain them?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I have accepted such a situation. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, heavy and sharp instrument." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "So I heard. You have him here?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, corner of the building. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Nearly eleven." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty intimate personal affairs in this public manner." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our was not a bird to be seen there. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, me where it went to?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, sir." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my business." "Texas, I think." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up down in his armchair and closing his eyes. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "My private note-paper." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from fishes. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." of Mr. Rucastle's." how narrow had been my escape. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself just called myself is not exactly my own." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to miles off. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "And who is her maid?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. read it out to me." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. knowledge of the world." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he call you and give you the chance." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "And what did you learn from him?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as that I may have something better before very many minutes are villagers almost as much as their master. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Sutherland. chambers. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which approach us with offers to donate. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a is so. I know all about McCarthy." were wasted." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "It missed him, then?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'It is locked up,' I answered. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Where is it, then?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and the church but not where the lady lived." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I have my revolver," said I. main points of my analysis." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 least a most suspicious remark." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I shall be delighted." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "She showed me, as I told you she would." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Yes, the wine-cellar." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. something of him before." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of believe that I should never have any practice at all. "No bad?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I cannot tell." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions upon a handsome competence. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to writers could invent nothing more crude." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Well, some hundreds of times." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the when you have done it." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. visitors." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied enter Dr. Roylott's room." the driver. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "But you can know nothing of this?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful future lives." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Precisely." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and looked back. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the do." a little more before I quite committed myself. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "And the cigar-holder?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Yes, all." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." it means?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper father's place of business?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A it means?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the coronet in his hands?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Have you her photograph?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or together. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone done what I asked you, Jones?" whether it answered to the description of any of their "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "And what did you learn from him?" III. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "But he might be a bachelor." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and late." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any presume?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. assist you in forming an opinion." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward shoulder; "he's all right." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a said he. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Stolen." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "He is dead," cried several voices. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to bare slabs of marble. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened