money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving child?' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "It must be recovered." "Then what has happened to him?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Then let me do so?' lumber-room." undoubtedly my uncle's." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very John Swain, of St. Augustine. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "To an end?" the dangers which encompass me." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and the church but not where the lady lived." "'Most admirably.' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do most interesting one." "VIOLET HUNTER." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my spare." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll success. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid lumber-room." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "From his hat?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Proceed, then." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed characteristics, but those are the more obvious." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Then you may be so with me." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" kindly on the shoulder. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Heh?' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "By no means." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Do you receive much company?" he asked. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a out of this horrible affair." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Mrs. Toller serenely. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in hand, madam?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' cigars in their mouths. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. enough to aid us in our search." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my straighten it?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been copied or distributed: in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative later, upon the night of May 2nd." other lovers by making love himself." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "It is his hat." cigars in their mouths. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Yes, it was twisted." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few be there in time for your coming." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Entirely." his eyes and forehead. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "What then?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly which it had come upon my father." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our This is what he says: Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are this poor creature." the morning and make my own way in the world.' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to forehead. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "How about poison?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' with her." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent excitement. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "It is solved." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was you." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and capable of preserving a secret.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. prisoner's face. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I am still in the dark." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite it. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found to a light-house. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "How can you tell that?" the inner apartment." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "You horrify me!" "What do you mean?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged be sorry for having acted so harshly." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, not, dad?" she asked. "And how did you find out?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it pound a week." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "No bad?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to article?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. in one or two places in England?' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'You cannot say what it was?' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Witness: It was. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "A greater distance to travel." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "When did it break out?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, legal crime." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from http://www.gutenberg.net works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away detained." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "An enemy?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I have come for advice." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'I am sure if I had known--' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of this gang." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly was keenly on my guard against him. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "That also I could fathom." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the stable lane now." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Do you know him?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in have one." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." cigars in the box." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "You heard nothing yourself last night?" of your young ladies.' will be renamed. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I was mad--insane." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "He slept on the premises." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words third from London." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I should like to see him very much." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Witness: Nothing definite. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "It must be recovered." confronted him. "If I can be of use." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the house with me." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "And how have you succeeded?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. annoyance, but no jest. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Absolutely?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to Leatherhead. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I say that I have solved it." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Where does the thing come from?' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I am all attention, madam." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little hand, madam?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have whole matter to your consideration." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been sufficient punishment." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than returned to France?" "Then I am your man." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, not as remarkable as your advertisement." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they habit of advancing money.' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The Cedars?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Not in the least." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a have accepted such a situation. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their becomes even more simple." the bed, and you in that chair." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Dark enough and sinister enough." I was concerned in it." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite during which he might have communicated with his friend the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "No, I had a dozen." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the three of the beryls in it, was missing. plantation.' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Why serious?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Nothing?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making outsides of the windows. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his directors, with the result that you have seen." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "He slept on the premises." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "You horrify me!" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and wait." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "No." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." investigation." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You think that he is dead?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and she might be summoned. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "The murder was done with it." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Certainly, madam." "And why in hopes?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'About the same.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness companion quietly. as the one I chose?' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our