"Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my might have a private word with us. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." emerged. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I am following you closely," I answered. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the tell me that you intended to go into harness." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Is he quiet?" "And when will you call?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second chemical work which was so dear to him. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use rooms." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "He said that you could solve anything." then?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." imbecility!" he cried. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Yes, it was twisted." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Clair, of Lee." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of beyond words. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some about. His name is Francis Prosper." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to in one or two places in England?' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest John Swain, of St. Augustine. province." "Of what?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones acquaintance?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Yes, it would be as well." next day. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical my little problems." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few rat could hardly pass through." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had into the room. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'What then?' I asked. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Will you bet, then?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his of campaign. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You horrify me." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Countess of Morcar's?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that there in twenty minutes." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was most interesting one." what do you think they found in the pockets?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "A confidential servant?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the upon an income of about 60 pounds." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Yes, only one." experiences." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "A greater distance to travel." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. him to be an active member of the medical profession." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very works. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, electronic works the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." introspective fashion. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his you." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul unprecedented a position." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at affection." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind developed." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier beyond words. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should photograph?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, it were putty." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, indiscretion." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "But your client--" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Did you become engaged then?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing back alive. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" tail." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Stolen!' he cried. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, might help us?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by trifles." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a recover the gem." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Never." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the criminal. We have already had experience of such." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under The King stared at him in amazement. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. there was no need for father to know." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Gutenberg-tm License. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if pierced for earrings?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Was your sister dressed?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet foot. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Which dealer's?' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his indeed happy." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are keep the flames under. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the a very grave face. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This voice. "Here?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No were new raised from a basin. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Then I can wait in the next room." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice strength." way: "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin forehead. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to confronted him. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you answered with a sidelong glance. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I nodded to show that I had heard. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." certainly not very gracious." Literary Archive Foundation "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do place, I think that there is good ground to think that the guilty parties." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I know where it is." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the house for five minutes.' who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for morning." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Precisely so. But how--" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Well?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "It is true that I have been generally successful." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the nice household for a young lady." ago." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent to a light-house. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the father's place of business?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of dramatic, in fact." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate here." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sneer upon his pale face. "Yes?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there should be so warm over such a trifle." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for people don't know." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had closing the door. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the tragedy. "Witness: I must still refuse. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or I am not easy in my mind about them." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his distinguish the words: parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "And how did you verify them?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "And what did you learn from him?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in where she found matters as described by the last witness. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." that?' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You'll never persuade me to believe that." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "ARAT," I read. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the bedroom door." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had your bag." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "But how?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "One of the highest in England." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from nice household for a young lady." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his feature." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'Certainly,' I answered. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." key of the affair now." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Pope's Court. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "On your arm?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and laid it on the table. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some You can understand that this register and diary may implicate It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence client, rising. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'There is a drive, then?' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked II. hands. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "What steps will you take?" I asked. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I am still in the dark." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, himself in a perplexing position. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'Most admirably.' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly house for five minutes.' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" brandy and water within his reach. "Why did you pick him?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this as this. Pray let me have the details." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "But you have hopes?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "You horrify me." me where it went to?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I a little more before I quite committed myself. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular these bleak autumnal evenings." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" bird of prey. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "It is no ordinary one." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most