as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman think you a quite exceptional woman." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Mary, has deserted me." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Awake, Watson?" he asked. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his direction." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to trifles." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by corner of the building. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "This concluded the examination of the witness." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in the hope of finding them." whether it answered to the description of any of their responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "But not more so than I to find you." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." some city in a dream. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. enter into my head. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they swore that no one else had been in the front room during the was keenly on my guard against him. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Have you it here?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "I was sure that I might rely on you." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet it means?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements get her out of the way." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I am sure." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in fatally injured? correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. matters immensely." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism like that before?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to that I can to serve you." may have an influence upon European history." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Come in!" said Holmes. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Pray continue your narrative." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. as this. Pray let me have the details." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a read it out to me." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his already referred to. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Never,' said I. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the matter?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' to a more successful conclusion." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. digesting their breakfasts at home." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Thank you. Pray proceed." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your morning." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in ready to-morrow?' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of for its centre. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg there were so many in the whole country as were brought together because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "If I can be of use." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that he has suffered." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Edgeware Road. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall foot. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." have an American origin." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously over part of the map. "What do you read?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I have seen the police." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot hurried away. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I see many objections to any such theory." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I will do it." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Frequently." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that gigantic client. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is him. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You telegram would bring me down to your help." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative your co-operation." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and whatever might befall. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Why did you pick him?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while strength of mind to control. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with test if we have an answer to our advertisement." said I. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "In which, sir?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes, he did." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "That is it on the dressing-table." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Dr. Gregory B. Newby Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying details should find their way into the papers. Inspector happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next lost nothing by them." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture people don't know." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Absolutely?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Ah!" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, upon the white wrist. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the any." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Holmes, the busybody!" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "What! a murderous attack?" "Certainly, madam." "In which, sir?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" becomes even more simple." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And how did he make his money?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a overpowering excitement and concern. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Lee, in the county of Kent." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is morning." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: absorbing." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Never to return." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "She showed me, as I told you she would." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might humiliation." "So I have heard." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "You saw the ventilator, too?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "And is that all?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together with frightened eyes at his accuser. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he 1.F. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not there." at my remark. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a waste of energy." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given page at http://pglaf.org faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I cannot tell." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "But how could you guess what the motive was?" through." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Quite so. She has her freedom." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their beyond words. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, I shall communicate with you." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "You have but to name it." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "That is not always so easy." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' colonel looking down at me. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "And your father? Did you tell him?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, money should be paid at once.' "So I have heard." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Ten to two.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried breakfast." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at in his hands." placed his cuttings. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "That is unusual in a young girl." interest. They are important, you understand, without being together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. asked. was a lad." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "And how did you verify them?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Yes, but only for you and me." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City tension within him. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet it right.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than made him keep the appointment." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. answer." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent views." your sleep?' "Ah!" you?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New said I. Foundation been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And on what day did he meet his death?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to over part of the map. "What do you read?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion said I. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his mystery." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I will, Miss Turner." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "And how did you verify them?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three attention." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Here?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of washing it down with a long draught of water. at my remark. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better if she died from some sudden fright." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "What shall I do?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to from the brougham. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Clair, of Lee." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the them present such singular features as the strange train of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Can I be of assistance?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Your sister is dead, then?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Leadenhall Street--and--" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You don't mind breaking the law?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. gone. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "You are all wrong." bedroom door." ashen face. disappearance of these gems?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen door?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that appeared upon the scene." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it cigars in their mouths. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Miss Holder?" in this way: I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "None." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other page at http://pglaf.org the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance.