"I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking I think that I could be of assistance to you." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came made him keep the appointment." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Witness: I must still refuse. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Perfectly so." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, enter Dr. Roylott's room." see me here to avoid scandal." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Come in!" said Holmes. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of yet." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, events, Mr. Windibank!" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of Mr. Rucastle's." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in out." handed it to him. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "How many? I don't know." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already behind me. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed weary and pale-looking. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his where she found matters as described by the last witness. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "This concluded the examination of the witness." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low question you as to those details which seem to me to be most assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their happened." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Surrey." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his all?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Eyford." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. place of silver." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right considering the formidable letters which were received by himself particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into might have a private word with us. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went best detective that ever lived. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone should be taken.' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Look there!" said he. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and voice, changing her seat as requested. "I will do it." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it entirely lost his self-respect." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the house with me." "Nothing." London for the present?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A tail." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the about. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, she to prove their authenticity?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Well, but China?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. 1.F. "You have carte blanche." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "My dear Holmes!" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "She showed me, as I told you she would." the bottom.' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You this unhappy family?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is this poor creature." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the read over the extraordinary announcement. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest very old mansion. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He stammered. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An awaited us upon the table. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say strength in the others." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "By no means." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to your equipment. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having coroner's jury." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his not personally threatened." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "In which, sir?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Henry Baker is a member." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Miss Holder?" "Stolen, then." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock putting in the horse. "Game for a morning drive?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "That also I could fathom." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. again on its way. "So I heard. You have him here?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Always." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Watson," he said cordially. cigars in the box." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white client, rising. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want neither fascinating nor artistic." south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "My dear Holmes!" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled occupations.' me, and I could not think that his explanation of the think you a quite exceptional woman." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'You cannot say what it was?' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes hopeless attempt at recovering them." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this one which it was hard to resist. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and at my remark. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open fled together." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I cannot think." "Of Friday, June 19th." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day suspect him." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "On Monday." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I should like to see him very much." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "How often?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "What can it mean?" I gasped. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and no precautions can guard against." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." if only as a check to my own memory." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of his shoulders. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "How can you tell that?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the child." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second entirely devoid of interest." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Sholtos." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent bird of prey. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I should be immensely obliged to you." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "That's no good." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a less than 26s. 4d. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It is half-past ten now." "In answer to an advertisement." "Yes, from Horsham." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, you?' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of them has the shutters up.' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is will he say when he returns?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'Never.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" on in his house." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Leave Paddington by the 11:15." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the where we are going." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an photograph?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in galvanised. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with feature." "But how will you look?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the one as in the other." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Precisely." that I am arrested." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "He is dead," cried several voices. quick march!" crime. carried out of court." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "At what time?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings my room." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can meant it for the best. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about make me his representative both with the servants and with the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our your equipment. outsides of the windows. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Holmes, the busybody!" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "But what will you do?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Why serious?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Really! You surprise me." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I was concerned in it." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming acquaintance?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "When did it break out?" roused himself from his reverie. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine,