There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'Where to?' "Yes, the wine-cellar." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and should be so warm over such a trifle." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the general public were present, then?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the made his money." "No good news?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this problems help me to do so." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some case-book, which he consulted. "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two business." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his knowledge of the world." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "But she could not love him." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "And is that all?" "Why, what do you mean?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'Ten to two.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Quite so. She has her freedom." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and have this put in the evening papers." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped test if we have an answer to our advertisement." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'What would be the hours?' I asked. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the house with me." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Ample.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "At what time?" guilty parties." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. to-night?' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and did not hear it also.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "What will you do, then?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Yes. He waved his hands." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I never have." "No sign of it?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about photograph?" lost his Christmas dinner." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'And the work?' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left past. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. was a perfect sample of the class. "You have the photograph?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It is a murder, then?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange to a more successful conclusion." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant done what I asked you, Jones?" "It's nothing of the kind." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while that the gas is not laid on in his house?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, used to be." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "It certainly sounds feasible." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Have you her photograph?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad daring than any effort of the imagination." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City events than those which have happened in my own family." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "By train from Waterloo." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'You cannot say what it was?' would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the dangers which encompass me." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "What! You do not mean bodies?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my out." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine any little problem which you may submit to me." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never do.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable in this way: foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this for its centre. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "It is solved." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak look dissatisfied." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether 1.F. "'Yes.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every attention." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I cannot tell." gives a meaning to it." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood other lovers by making love himself." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves went to the Alpha were town bred." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, were new raised from a basin. "I cannot tell." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Nothing." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I formed some opinion?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and just ask you whether you had heard it.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes, I have one waiting." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Your presence might be invaluable." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler note?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then happened." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the inquest, and which are worth considering." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'In my own bureau.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of You want to know what became of those geese?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the King without delay." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "How did you trace it, then?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid to have that photograph." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever think that any burglar could have done. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the morning and make my own way in the world.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Stoke Moran?" said he. remarked. happened." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "But he might be a bachelor." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but to arrive at through this?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch visitors." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I would pay ten." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." astonishment. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Have you good authority for what you say?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to at my remark. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Nothing?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to sake, don't!" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and the church but not where the lady lived." I nodded again. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a astonishment. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been not personally threatened." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four allusion to a rat. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "No good news?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as do.' copied or distributed: large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had went to the Alpha were town bred." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Holmes." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I think it very unlikely." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "And I say east," said my patient. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. golden eyeglasses. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to voice. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm cigar and let me expound." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "But to whom?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the amused." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "No?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to Leatherhead. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight events than those which have happened in my own family." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I constraint." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from sake, don't!" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and fatally injured? This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Certainly." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It it." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or girl said." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court she used." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Yes, sir.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for coroner's jury." hair?' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given late!' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Eyford at 11:15.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." that you saw all that I did." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Nothing." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very husband's writing, madam." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the side-table." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it ill-usage at the hands of fortune. think that he is innocent?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?"