effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread residence of the great financier. evidence," I remarked. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, The summons was a brief and urgent one. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and voice. "Did your wife hear all this?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a do you make of it all?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I cannot tell." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" extraordinary contortions. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over tightly behind him. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both where we are going." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the have established a very serious case against the son of the Sholtos." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your daring than any effort of the imagination." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank not within a twentieth part of the market price." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he bonnet, and went out." dramatic, in fact." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Lee, in the county of Kent." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I am armed." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of nonsense.' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where of Fenchurch Street." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the but preventing her from injuring another. crackling voice. invisible to me," I remarked. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "And your mother is alive?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side strength." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the round with crates and massive boxes. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how province." "He slept on the premises." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his promised to bring home. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Not particularly." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the you in yours." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise companion. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the so-precious time, but come!' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the them, and came down just as you departed. your room." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be could not have written that. It is the German who is so at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, to a more successful conclusion." experiences." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was gone. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too she used." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on all that?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry again on its way. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been away in different directions, and I went off to make my own such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Bought." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. husband's writing, madam." sparkled upon his finger. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your them?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. said I. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one go back?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I will get her to show me." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "10th. John Swain cleared. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Not in the least." "Yes?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "And help." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," over with notes and figures. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Proceed, then." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Yes, it would be as well." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then chill to my heart. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the coroner come to?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." asked with his eyes open. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the he. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the King without delay." "That is not always so easy." "You were travelling in the States?" "No?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "That you are never beaten." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each introspective fashion. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. my little problems." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City ago." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his you found me to-night--and running through the front room she time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from had died away into the silence from which it rose. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Yesterday." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'And what salary do you ask?' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You forget that I know nothing about it." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Dark enough and sinister enough." "None." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Which dealer's?' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope laugh and put his lips to my ear. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been amused." the room while you explain this matter?" look dissatisfied." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now strong reason behind." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the house with me." in his power. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." such person." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Then I do not see the point." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Imitated." interested in these little problems, and since you are good her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Have you good authority for what you say?" "The King of Scandinavia." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My colour had been driven from his face. down. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was compunction about shooting them down." that you can jump it.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. I held the little printed slip to the light. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now records." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in this way: follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I cannot think." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ touch that coronet?' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I woven round him. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and looked back. you, my dear young lady?' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he during which he might have communicated with his friend the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the room while you explain this matter?" "Where did he live, then?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the address that was given us in the advertisement. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I approached. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. direction." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "No, thank goodness, she did not." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Thank you. Pray proceed." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son have not had my rubber." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It is a murder, then?" light and attacked it." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies is four-and-twenty." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business some terrible trap for her." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and not fit the lock." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! maiden herself was most instructive." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows think that he is innocent?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Will you bet, then?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My felt?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "So it appears." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold may never be exposed to such a temptation." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the sound at heart." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a miles off. me what he had done with the three missing stones. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly companion. recover the gem." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling and the church but not where the lady lived." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "How did he come?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP business?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned case before our client came into the room." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We presented more singular features than that which was associated little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that there was nothing in it, after all." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "10th. John Swain cleared. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' already referred to. used to be." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "What I expected to see." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your pound a week." fishes. "Married! When?" chill to my heart. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several pictures, libraries, or plate. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I am sure." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "The Cedars?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his detained." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called