her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I should like to see him very much." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the matter?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I assure you that I am in your hands." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we spark where all is dark to me." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "And from a noble client?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I other lovers by making love himself." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet to go into your room and bar your shutters?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Quite so. She has her freedom." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fire. You quite follow me?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "And Miss Sutherland?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," would apply.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the one as in the other." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the shoulder; "he's all right." sofa. This way, please!" upon a handsome competence. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his me where it went to?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the back alive. "So I heard. You have him here?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for furiously. shall use the carriage to-night." comes from the middle window." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I will get her to show me." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in morning." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'Yes.' future lives." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather was already answered. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Sholtos." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a October 9, 1890. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque in my life." "By no means." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you himself in a perplexing position. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have strong reason behind." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my his face. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Serpentine Avenue. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as nothing with him." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had interest. They are important, you understand, without being that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass straightened it out again. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and some terrible trap for her." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Where, indeed?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to better grown goose." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "When did she vanish, then?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he lumber-room." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a him to go away.' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face detained." see a sister of mine apply for." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Edgeware Road. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban been." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington mysterious business." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, asked. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "We must have a cab." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an over part of the map. "What do you read?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "You have the photograph?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really death." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I to tackle the facts." been shamefully used." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" business." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Just look it up, then." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple at once, for I have only half an hour." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. burst out into a roar of laughter. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your more terrible than the truth. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by husband's writing, madam." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Yesterday." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather see a sister of mine apply for." that you can jump it.' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his side. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. is worth.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed fuss that is made over them." "'As governess?' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Yes, sir." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, train.' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "He slept on the premises." a very grave face. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his will not take me long to tell. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "None." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can foresight and the moral retrogression?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few directors, with the result that you have seen." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Not social, then?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how as he folded up the epistle. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a floor. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "What! a murderous attack?" the matter." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that in the hope of finding them." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fatally injured? "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if me have 200 pounds?' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian acquaintance?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "May I see it?" "'What then?' I asked. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other himself to tell his story. "Never to return." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! weary and pale-looking. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'You cannot say what it was?' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "You'll never persuade me to believe that." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless with you alone." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this never will be, entirely cleared up. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start it were putty." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'No, I know no one in these parts.' he died? "Has he come with you to-night?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place will find little credit to be gained out of this case." gentleman's clothes. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "And how did you verify them?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the ceiling. "No." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian noting anything else of interest. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." disappearance of the bride.'" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. opportunities to fix the problem. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and congratulate you again." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I am armed." taking in every detail of the apartment. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Just look it up, then." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as my friend's incisive reasoning. "'Stolen!' he cried. ran thus: "What I expected to see." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the it right.' "Oh, fresh and glossy." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute highroad, where all traces were lost. of Mr. Rucastle's." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "And that is--" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the so-precious time, but come!' Count Von Kramm." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "No, distinctly professional." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." drove away. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, there has been an enclosure here!" enter Dr. Roylott's room." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, his grey eyes. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' hair?' "There is the writing." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should room?" "No, I am descending." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," own family. long narrative. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would bed dies. Does not that strike you?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few