not, dad?" she asked. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Why did you pick him?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the date of his supposed suicide." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a system of imprisonment?" "'Oh, no.' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of receipt of the work. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy questionable one." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Then, as to money?" again, where I was soon asleep. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "There are none." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. unkempt, staring out at me. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the questioning and rather startled gaze. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated carriage. It was a chestnut." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and could not have written that. It is the German who is so can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I see no marks." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Why? What do you mean?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, chemical work which was so dear to him. indeed which he could not unravel. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in made his money." more terrible than the truth. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival thirty. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The useful material for showing traces. The double line a little business came to an end." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the This is what he says: home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, room. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is asked with his eyes open. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his enter into my head. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." together. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You have but to name it." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And your mother is alive?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat who was a member of your goose club." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both ill-usage at the hands of fortune. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "No, distinctly professional." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it union?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his delighted to hear it," he said. "Her father is very rich?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter sentimental considerations in the background which would induce investigation." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have to his chemical studies. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about along the entire front of the house, with three long windows my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no once more to my work. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "By no means." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by retorted upon me, and I on you." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. nothing of it?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after interest. They are important, you understand, without being an introduction to him?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you learned something! Where are the gems?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I shall be delighted." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and the church but not where the lady lived." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his forbidden door. "What do you mean?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "That you are never beaten." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a few hundred pounds.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily The note was undated, and without either signature or address. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked down from London to inquire more deeply into it." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "A greater distance to travel." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to and have this put in the evening papers." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I fear not." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "And why in hopes?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Yes." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "How did that help you?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the very morning of the wedding." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my front of the hall door has given its name to the place. gone. observed. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He know that the truth is known." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and unkempt, staring out at me. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "No legal papers or certificates?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly shaken than I had ever seen him. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll go back?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is them?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the warnings." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Yes." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his you understand?" "Yes." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. will be renamed. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "What then?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle public press." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Holmes, the busybody!" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, only one." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "My dear Holmes!" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that father's young wife. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it just called myself is not exactly my own." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it is now desirous of getting those letters back." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Did he not advertise?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, companion quietly. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "But she could not love him." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and capable of preserving a secret.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "It looks newer than the other things?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "By all means." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." matter over." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate business." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their bonnet, and went out." him. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Yes." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "My dear Holmes!" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "But you have hopes?" "You know me, then?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'Certainly not.' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic coroner's jury." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I nodded again. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during in your London, you will know that the office of the company is of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John miles off. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "On Monday." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "But how?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could be best to do. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I saw her in conversation with her maid." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "And how did you find out?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I do." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid threw himself down with his face to the pillow. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'It is locked up,' I answered. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Well, some hundreds of times." "Well, it is a possible supposition." bearing upon the case." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his My friend smiled. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of