"Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." be best to do. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me official police." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of call the police, let the police find what they can.' to a light-house. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. a room. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months hurried away. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were affair. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, carriage. It was a chestnut." have established a very serious case against the son of the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had you for a few hours?" presume?" horse could go." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and no precautions can guard against." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and I shall be with you presently." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Yes, he did." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Who by?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the questioning and rather startled gaze. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, During two years I have had three consultations and one small was not a bird to be seen there. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are place no limit on the sum I may draw." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I leave." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter with you alone." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my one which it was hard to resist. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'Yes, sir.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I was mad--insane." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down been lifted and conveyed somewhere." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on newspaper selections." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. your billet.' "I am sure." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND simple cases which are so extremely difficult." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; my little problems." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Never." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," III. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but his cane at the bell-pull. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, go back?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "And I say east," said my patient. always that they were such commands as a lady might with what is your own theory as to what took place?" quick march!" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Have you it here?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the questioning and rather startled gaze. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "To ruin me." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." wanted for ourselves." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Yes." I shall continue with my miserable story. fattened it expressly for you.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I approached. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Bought." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my sufficient punishment." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the matter." bears upon the case?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but forbidden door. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to time." note?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer astonishment. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as mystery!" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' drove away. "The murder was done with it." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Nothing?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Her father is very rich?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father things are very often connected not with the larger but with the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Dr. Gregory B. Newby clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet with her." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to leaning back in his chair. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, how narrow had been my escape. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "It looks newer than the other things?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you hands. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our emerged. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "How can you tell that?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Will you go?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the station." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "And how have you succeeded?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Then you may be so with me." papers on the sundial.'" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "How on earth--" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner head. So long, then!" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Surrey." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting think that any burglar could have done. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you someone who had been in Australia." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. married her." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go photograph?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. DAMAGE. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and your relations to her." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Do you know him?" "Yes." think, you have already met." "What! a murderous attack?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an papers on the sundial.'" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small possible that we could bring him back to her? year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the very morning of the wedding." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that recall any case within my experience which looked at the first made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. was a lad." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "And who is her maid?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, rat could hardly pass through." call for it in person on Monday morning.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you nice household for a young lady." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to talk it over. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to head. So long, then!" "May I see it?" locked." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a certainly not very gracious." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "What do you mean?" and I shall be with you presently." "Quite so." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Is purely nominal.' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises geese which you supplied to the Alpha." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "It is very clear." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hour." "I never have." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and quickly through a disagreeable task. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "And on what day did he meet his death?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the station." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may presume?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save himself in a perplexing position. where we are going." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a conduct the inquiry." upon the shelf for the interim." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." occupations.' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. father's place of business?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "When did it break out?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the nursery. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about not personally threatened." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes shall use the carriage to-night." "Then how many are there?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Here?" "No." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Why serious?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "And how?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we