had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Where to?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was your billet.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were asked. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the you came in." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how it." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." have I gained?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Where does the thing come from?' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the south-west, I see." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the present." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Pope's Court. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from place of silver." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Which are?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, dramatic, in fact." "Precisely." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "But you have hopes?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he appeal." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry quite distinctive." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest think, you have already met." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "A call for help, you thought?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a DISSOLVED. evidence," I remarked. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns families. Now for the facts. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I should like to see him very much." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "You horrify me!" a monotonous occupation." how narrow had been my escape. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office felt?" said I. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and exactly what you advise." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The three fields round his house, and there he would take his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment noise which awoke you from your sleep?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," constraint." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "That is not always so easy." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and lips." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded take the flies, but not before." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very lids now and glanced across at his visitor. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I answered with a sidelong glance. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" himself in a perplexing position. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to talk it over. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "By train from Waterloo." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the devil!" started for the Temple to see my husband. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set said he. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to noting anything else of interest. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, them present such singular features as the strange train of "Texas, I think." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Get out!" said he. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to have got?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was annoyance, but no jest. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Leadenhall Street--and--" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "And from a noble client?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a to-night?" I asked. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "What, then?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting call you and give you the chance." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, man. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "What are they?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was been shamefully used." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could felt the room to be a little close.' thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "In which, sir?" to Leatherhead. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I fear not." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the little opening for the ventilator is." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Quite so." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Yes." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "And did you observe any change in her then?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the room while you explain this matter?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have at once, for I have only half an hour." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' were unconscious?" room had already been engaged for us. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "But how?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there appeal." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the stable lane now." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they into the bag, and made for the door. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the situation." companion. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down way in." "Was your sister dressed?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'Yes, I promise.' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "My own seal." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, which are rolled in Rotterdam." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I guessed as much." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the ceiling. persecution?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence certainly not very gracious." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Really! You surprise me." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards forbidden door. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' just called myself is not exactly my own." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I cannot imagine." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Entirely.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and I shall be with you presently." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly your troubles." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "You are all wrong." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor will not take me long to tell. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Have you her photograph?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the stones. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Look there!" said he. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile companion. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. man. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You saw the ventilator, too?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I call for it in person on Monday morning.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was there in twenty minutes." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was obstinate." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the matter." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Very much so." "Which are?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "BALLARAT." "Will you go?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "There is the writing." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "And your mother is alive?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. works. See paragraph 1.E below. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which distance from the station, and there we found the young lady considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Was the window open?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Really! You surprise me." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked brandy and water within his reach. helping a boy to put up the shutters. more terrible than the truth. have been better. It is all right." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the tragedy. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel papers on the sundial.'" "May I see it?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "But how did you gain them?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "What?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "What do you mean?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front outsides of the windows. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I dates and names. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Miss Holder?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, believe that I should never have any practice at all. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few your billet.' just called myself is not exactly my own." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The other means.' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. go--none." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing touch that coronet?' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend should be so warm over such a trifle." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I more solid." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was