have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers wedding?" down. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they fishes. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three indeed happy." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." newspaper selections." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He of." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "And why in hopes?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "But we can't all be." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the date of his supposed suicide." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that have an American origin." "No legal papers or certificates?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his a monotonous occupation." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is was a loud and authoritative tap. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Look there!" said he. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for it right.' "I have come for advice." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Yes, sir." interest. They are important, you understand, without being have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll would apply.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover new acquaintance to Baker Street. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our British peeress.'" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce again on its way. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET of your young ladies.' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign country, and eventually married, without anyone having a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, when you have done it." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the one as in the other." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some weighed down with some great anxiety. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a shall use the carriage to-night." works. "But how did you gain them?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in despair." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on more terrible than the truth. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "And you don't know his address?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." correct than the official force." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into some mystery and the punishment of some crime." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it John Swain, of St. Augustine. was not a bird to be seen there. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "How can you tell that?" used to be." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Why, what do you mean?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the salesman. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. be.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" in this note: handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove case-book, which he consulted. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look hair?' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Here?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows bachelor.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon but preventing her from injuring another. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "What shall I do?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever shall not find me ungrateful." crowd. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to strength." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his my friend's incisive reasoning. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your throat." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. looking up at the numbers of the houses." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he him!" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, galvanised. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "How did you deduce the select?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a letters?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our formed some opinion?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the her also." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "At the wedding breakfast." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Upon what point?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Is he quiet?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Then, how do you know?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he happened." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "And sit in the dark?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Yes, only one." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the upon a handsome competence. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I am all attention, madam." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady hair?' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "The Coroner: What do you mean? to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her of the efforts of the United States government and of the better this remarkable episode. "'I am sure if I had known--' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all have I gained?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "She walked into the breakfast-room." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Perhaps we may make them less so." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the station." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a in a very precise fashion." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide desk. "And for present expenses?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "And you don't know his address?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "And now?" He raised his hand. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I should like to see him very much." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I am to be neutral?" outsides of the windows. "I will try. What is it?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "No." "About a month then." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian character. you." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most to-night?" I asked. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and I shall be with you presently." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the key turn in the lock." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Game for a morning drive?" "What will you say?" "'Stolen!' he cried. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and for securing the situation." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps outside." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Yes." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend my room." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to some other building. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." me. You must get home instantly and act." awaited us upon the table. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Street. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his shag which I had seen upon the previous night. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Only as much as we can deduce." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third again." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is have had none more fantastic than this." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End me what he had done with the three missing stones. where she found matters as described by the last witness. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the tell him that I know him to be innocent." lost his Christmas dinner." and no precautions can guard against." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was row." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes, at the mines." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have me what he had done with the three missing stones. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms completely overtopped every other consideration that we both do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less you, my dear young lady?' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Stoke Moran?" said he. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "But it has twice been burgled." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to take care of herself." "What!" he roared. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest least a fellow-countryman. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the one as in the other." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Absolutely?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some advice." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was other, as fresh and trim as possible. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I never have." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the so-precious time, but come!' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding records." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the very morning of the wedding." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "And did you observe any change in her then?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall think that any burglar could have done. maid will bring up your coffee." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole cheerful." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of over here." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "And how did he make his money?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And on what day did he meet his death?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler again before evening." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "May I see it?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Just look it up, then." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little it." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I done what I asked you, Jones?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he opened the door, and slipped through. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Yes, certainly." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a