"I am about to be married." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders License. You must require such a user to return or outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of presented more singular features than that which was associated necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a once more. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds made his money." in my life." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the dates and names. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and unkempt, staring out at me. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Not yet." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the coroner come to?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I shall be delighted." "By train from Waterloo." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is walking." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Arthur Conan Doyle sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "And from a noble client?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that fat-encircled eyes. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' acquaintance?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Yes." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You are hungry," I remarked. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and him to be an active member of the medical profession." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short DAMAGE. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." companion. "Yes." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Not at all. I only doubt--' you understand?" "The vanishing of the lady." infinite languor in his face. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these do." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Count Von Kramm." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Not him." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad back to my heart. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the really the only notable feature about the thing." "I am armed." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is danger is over." fuss that is made over them." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious bears upon the case?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone congenial hunt. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the upon a handsome competence. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "About a month then." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, whether it answered to the description of any of their "I don't say that. Perhaps." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps if she died from some sudden fright." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has if only as a check to my own memory." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. there when the Rucastles went away." derbies." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to Leatherhead. how narrow had been my escape. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms all that?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. business?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Yes." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic himself in a perplexing position. "His face fell immediately. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "And is that all?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten words came to my lips. to arrive at through this?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had American. Then who could this American be, and why should he me, and I could not think that his explanation of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Yes?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent will not take me long to tell. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her 1.F. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "You will not go there first?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "The landlord of the Alpha." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Then, how do you know?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may this remarkable episode. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil answer." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "And you don't know his address?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, tapping his fingers upon the table. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'I have already given you my word.' "I have a cab outside." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these thought that she would have been so carried away." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Street. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless hour?' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And what did you see?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "And what then?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it despair." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "He is dead," cried several voices. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, may never be exposed to such a temptation." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "A greater distance to travel." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had front of the hall door has given its name to the place. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he this Miss Turner." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in daring than any effort of the imagination." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I was concerned in it." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave to Leatherhead. minor matters until to-morrow." "Of Friday, June 19th." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of campaign. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable sparkled upon his finger. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two my secret was safe in his possession. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in before the coroner and the police-court." said I. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I would pay ten." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Oh, fresh and glossy." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the bottom.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'Then let me do so?' "I cannot tell." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Was the window open?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and see a sister of mine apply for." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Frequently." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save ceremony." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass you, my dear young lady?' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I I nodded again. eat it." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Come in!" said Holmes. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me asked with his eyes open. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "An accident, I presume?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I saw her in conversation with her maid." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a be there in time for your coming." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Then I do not see the point." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "An accident, I presume?" Again Holmes raved in the air. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned particular state visit http://pglaf.org round and wave him away like that.' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. as the one I chose?' bears upon the case?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Where, then, is my wife?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, experiences." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Two days later this same performance was gone through under having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Well." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. a monotonous occupation." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of showing my impatience. Holmes rather sternly. on re-entering her father's house?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my believe that I should never have any practice at all. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in so far?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'Never.' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake face and glided from the room. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter pierced for earrings?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "What then?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "None." "I should like to see him very much." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "But I am all in the dark." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Pope's Court. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents house for five minutes.' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the running down."