leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all States. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I have hopes." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He business." made his money." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in The King stared at him in amazement. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to that open window." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'Yes, I promise.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Yes." certainly not very gracious." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce I leave." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that instincts rose up against that laugh. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. good-night and bustled off upon her way. the loss of it. were unconscious?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper on in his house." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Where, indeed?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Certainly." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "How do you know, then?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "On Monday." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Then you may be so with me." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" never to learn it at all." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "It must be recovered." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too drawing your inferences." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, it." derbies." heavily into it. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should went to the Alpha were town bred." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before been with you?" as he remarks, very much against the son." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Oh, yes, easily." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that used to be." system of imprisonment?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need was a perfect sample of the class. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the nursery. have established a very serious case against the son of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of an introduction to him?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch like that before?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Your French gold?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I will try. What is it?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Where to?' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an unclasping of his long thin hands. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new very morning of my second wedding." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that I am arrested." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. mystery." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love think that he is innocent?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate his knees, staring into the fire. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "No." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I have solved it." figure." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his everything which you would wish to know." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Countess of Morcar's?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried wedding?" "Pray do so." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one sparkled upon his finger. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and friends, not even his own brother. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the retorted upon me, and I on you." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I as the one I chose?' little adventures." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and no precautions can guard against." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "At half-wages, in fact." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering certainly not very gracious." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of delirious. "And now?" I asked. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, keep the flames under. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your hour." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may lectures into a series of tales." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to his chemical studies. it means?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told less than 26s. 4d. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "It's nothing of the kind." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, mysterious business." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the wall." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I. "I cannot tell." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. read over the extraordinary announcement. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them was already answered. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Holmes, the busybody!" "I will, Miss Turner." the devil!" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' outside. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I see no marks." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I questioning and rather startled gaze. "I am in hopes that she does." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "But how?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "But not more so than I to find you." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "No, finished." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, ashen face. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be corner of the building. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable even of instruction." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Tell me all about it,' said I. you?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the she to prove their authenticity?" a monotonous occupation." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly were new raised from a basin. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I once more. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Yes, he did." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Then I shall certainly come." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His which was all perfectly true. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Nothing?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon character. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Very. But will he see it?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can fled together." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste once more to my work. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes said he. during that time.' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an or other trace. But how on earth--" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now there!' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could believe that I should never have any practice at all. has little to do with my story." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint down from London to inquire more deeply into it." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in instituted." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "But it has twice been burgled." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "What are they?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a you?' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven careless servant girl?" British peeress.'" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe outbreak?" "'As governess?' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and if only as a check to my own memory." the loss of it. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As memory. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, respectable self." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered you?' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. unkempt, staring out at me. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of