constraint." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch intrusion of other matters." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "And now?" He raised his hand. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' better in every way that they should make their position a little Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Is he quiet?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "But you can know nothing of this?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "It was an hour's good drive." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to or other trace. But how on earth--" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, arrested. You then--" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. affection." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the of your young ladies.' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' lamp in his hand. several quiet little villages up there." fattened it expressly for you.' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "ARAT," I read. "Very truly yours, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "So I heard. You have him here?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the fled together." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we points to suicide?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong most interesting one." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not sneer upon his pale face. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery back alive. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside I was concerned in it." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally straighten it?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that that you wished to speak to me?' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for this unhappy family?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "That also I could fathom." "He might." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the your bag." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "One of the highest in England." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than directors, with the result that you have seen." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the cheerful." "I cannot tell." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks during which he might have communicated with his friend the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, yet." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "But how will you look?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Of what day?" maid will bring up your coffee." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, present." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, direction." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" again, where I was soon asleep. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had out of this horrible affair." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "There is the writing." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near events than those which have happened in my own family." "There are none." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "We were both in the photograph." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was writer." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." kindly on the shoulder. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your this remarkable episode. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I was sure that I might rely on you." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an which we had just quitted. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "You have compromised yourself seriously." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, morning." other means.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I am still in the dark." charge against him will break down." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin one of the states of the Union." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a said I. "Yes, from Horsham." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Ha! you find it so?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Dr. Gregory B. Newby happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So father's young wife. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'What do you call purely nominal?' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "How about poison?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of you." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, But Holmes shook his head gravely. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Will you bet, then?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Well, some hundreds of times." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and inquire as to the address." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Stoke Moran." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two fact, we may call it conclusive." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'And the work?' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the horse could go." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I was sure that I might rely on you." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The main points of my analysis." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard suspect him." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Did you observe the colour?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang electronic works the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Deserted you?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran said he. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. bonnet, and went out." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the orange pips. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the your sleep?' "And the murderer?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the populous neighbourhood." "Certainly." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "In answer to an advertisement." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "And from a noble client?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that place of silver." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I cannot imagine." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and never to learn it at all." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I should be immensely obliged to you." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution asked with his eyes open. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning drawing your inferences." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Upon what point?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'What would be the hours?' I asked. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family opened the door, and slipped through. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I was certainly surprised to find you there." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously that the gas is not laid on in his house?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I such person." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. hopeless attempt at recovering them." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no people in all walks of life. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; face and glided from the room. like that before?" forebodings. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "The gentleman I describe." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I should like to see him very much." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, better grown goose." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' IS this as likely?" she used." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no everything which you would wish to know." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he you, my dear young lady?' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." side. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was might have a private word with us. and I shall be with you presently." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. may have an influence upon European history." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we annoyance, but no jest. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the I nodded to show that I had heard. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "None." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "When did she vanish, then?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You did not overhear what they said?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. was feeling which was the fattest.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the your co-operation." pictures, libraries, or plate. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was a very grave face. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Very. But will he see it?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the nursery. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, have one." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, minor matters until to-morrow." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, was shining brightly. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt out of this horrible affair." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Pray tell us what has happened to you." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another