the so-precious time, but come!' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. used to be." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make chill to my heart. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an beyond words. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow take the flies, but not before." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as it right.' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be it." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same most important business. It is probable that he will be away all gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them beg that you will break it off." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself room had already been engaged for us. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "It is no ordinary one." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert wedding?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "And why in hopes?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Yes." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And leave your case unfinished?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might once more. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in said he. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come people in all walks of life. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended what do you think they found in the pockets?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "From his hat?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you with you?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the Assizes." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the King without delay." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the our word." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour outsides of the windows. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Yes, at the mines." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which present." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it than to us. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'Why that?' I asks. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "You think that he is dead?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Texas, I think." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to as noiselessly as she had come. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Certainly." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "My stepfather's business papers." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the mystery." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I cannot imagine." "Then, how do you know?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless way: The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Perhaps I have." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made The police have openly confessed that they can at present make abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Come in!" said Holmes. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "What can you not understand?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I should be immensely obliged to you." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I gone before you can get him to hospital." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs more terrible than the truth. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to fled together." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'In my own bureau.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector heavily into it. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the room?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Nothing." you give your casting vote to?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "That you are never beaten." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we dates and names. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been way: the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest conceal it?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Very good.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they could go. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Certainly." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Well, it is a possible supposition." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, when you have done it." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." again." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" matters immensely." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I cannot tell." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, take the flies, but not before." "And your mother is alive?" did not hear it also.' transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and capable of preserving a secret.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." there has been an enclosure here!" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." there when the Rucastles went away." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening do.' something of him before." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our a few minutes he said that it would be all right. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the inquest, and which are worth considering." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I would give my fortune to have them back." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as at once, for I have only half an hour." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never could gather together that I was able to avert another public carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "So it appears." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Yes, it was twisted." Sutherland. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "What, then, did Peterson do?" reach." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to confronted him. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'How far from the body?' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'I have heard so.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations bell. Holmes whistled. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Come in!" said he. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "And what did you see?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly must compliment you." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." telegram would bring me down to your help." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day miles off. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the dangers which encompass me." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to surprise her." "Tired-looking or fresh?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of that I can to serve you." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the in the port of London." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again is so. I know all about McCarthy." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the stood on the top of it. entirely lost his self-respect." License. You must require such a user to return or hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'Is purely nominal.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and conduct the inquiry." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to interested in these little problems, and since you are good belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "It was a confession," I ejaculated. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, generous with you in money matters.' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the Red-headed League." "Witness: I must still refuse. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "The decline of his fortunes, then?" keep the flames under. "'As governess?' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. matter over." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should wanted for ourselves." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'There is a drive, then?' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, should be so warm over such a trifle." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went it means?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Arthur Conan Doyle prepare for the new role I have to play." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "An accident, I presume?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "My last client of the sort was a king." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Street. correct than the official force." "But what harm can there be in that?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good was the fact that his father should, according to his account, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress outbreak?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I will, Miss Turner." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the stable lane now." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for other means.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "What do you make of that, Watson?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated despaired of." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence be. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Yes." "At half-wages, in fact." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed