"Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I warn you that they are very incomplete." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom just called myself is not exactly my own." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "What of the rat, then?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to to change my dress. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in companion quietly. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this some city in a dream. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be wedding?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him evidence," I remarked. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I indeed which he could not unravel. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and inquire as to the address." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the coronet in his hands?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Why? What do you mean?" residence of the great financier. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: society." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, people don't know." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I reach." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of papers on the sundial.'" second window is the one that I jumped from." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the voice, changing her seat as requested. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I stepfather?" "Married! When?" more solid." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his I shall communicate with you." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "But to whom?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange important." meanly of me." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the whatever might befall. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the date of his supposed suicide." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Foundation for the market.' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "This concluded the examination of the witness." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and have this put in the evening papers." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Who by?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography fat-encircled eyes. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong and no precautions can guard against." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, have established a very serious case against the son of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had formed some opinion?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'I am sure that I do not know.' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' breakfast?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "But he might be a bachelor." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the coronet in his hands?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would man. about here speaks of his kindness to him." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the over here." "How on earth--" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange must compliment you." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in again." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who important." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than off." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more call the police, let the police find what they can.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Stolen, then." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "If I can be of use." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful absolutely follow my advice in every respect." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it fish-monger and a tide-waiter." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen she to prove their authenticity?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of said Mr. Holder. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "In answer to an advertisement." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "But he might be a bachelor." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Tell me all about it,' said I. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Ah!" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. results." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips infinite languor in his face. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at to go into your room and bar your shutters?" wedding?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in danger is over." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to-night." developed." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" it." golden eyeglasses. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "The Coroner: What do you mean? we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "No more words. Get out!" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior had no one to advise her at such a crisis." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "What then?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Yes." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "No, but the enclosure is." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, unkempt, staring out at me. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of His smile broadened. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Did you become engaged then?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Bought." Cross for the Continent." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one lost nothing by them." know that the truth is known." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Yes." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "That also I could fathom." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with purpose equally well?" dead, shall be safe with us." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Yes, sir." is a common subject for conversation. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." thought that she would have been so carried away." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the allusion to a rat. "Has he come with you to-night?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Not particularly." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only in your London, you will know that the office of the company is even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "And what then?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is which should have the effect of calling the attention of the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "A greater distance to travel." is now desirous of getting those letters back." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the coronet in his hands?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the noting anything else of interest. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "To an English lawyer named Norton." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I will do it." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the business?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project would apply.' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'About the same.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "And I say east," said my patient. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'Certainly not. But why?' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "No bad?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Not I." said Mr. Holder. digesting their breakfasts at home." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "And how have you succeeded?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if ran thus: "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." matter." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came strength." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I you do it in twenty minutes!' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the to-morrow." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sooner or later she must fall a victim. Gutenberg-tm License. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its bearing upon the case." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low that he has suffered." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall