"You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, events than those which have happened in my own family." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. I think that I could be of assistance to you." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got along the entire front of the house, with three long windows intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "No, but the enclosure is." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on several quiet little villages up there." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two affair. locked." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of have had none more fantastic than this." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, people don't know." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "But I have heard all that you have heard." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and important." said I. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'No, I know no one in these parts.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "That is easily got." nights." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "You think so, too?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, photograph?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in cigars in their mouths. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "An enemy?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the inquest, and which are worth considering." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "And I to find an enemy." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the photograph a cabinet?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are union?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the stable lane now." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had fasten all the windows?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "She will not sell." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may place of silver." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better sneer upon his pale face. gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of himself to hunt down. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss them?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" villagers almost as much as their master. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." you understand?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Not I." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Imitated." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "He slept on the premises." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining it." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. kindly on the shoulder. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do to-night." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that indeed which he could not unravel. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "So I am. Very much so." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "How did you trace it, then?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. secret." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his main points of my analysis." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Never to return." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Won't it ring?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried taking in every detail of the apartment. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study strange features which were associated with the two crimes which works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and which it had come upon my father." most interesting one." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Then you may entirely rely on me." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I have my revolver," said I. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought never will be, entirely cleared up. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each his eyes and forehead. call the police, let the police find what they can.' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out way in." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with dramatic, in fact." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. astonishment. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, himself to hunt down. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, good for you to do.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is as this. Pray let me have the details." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. letters?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I or in danger--" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "And how did you find out?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are one's self under obligations.' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to purpose of examination. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any was a lad." "We were both in the photograph." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. I held the little printed slip to the light. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your fire. You quite follow me?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will bird of prey. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "It looks newer than the other things?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the bed, and you in that chair." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lumber-room." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Why did you pick him?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way lost his Christmas dinner." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until guilty one." said he. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my it." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I from you?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "We must have a cab." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal four million human beings all jostling each other within the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort have I gained?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Could he throw no light?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both heavily into it. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Nothing?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a goes." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it held up the lantern and gazed about him. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even is so. I know all about McCarthy." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly wedding?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my would then never go into court at all." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Eh? What was that?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect in darkness. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Stoke Moran." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to-night's adventure." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Only as much as we can deduce." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm a very grave face. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are 1.E.9. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at maiden herself was most instructive." "Really! You surprise me." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Here?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the matter?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You are hungry," I remarked. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Not in a good cause." "It is very kind of you." night.' said he. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must him!" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the never to learn it at all." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the little opening for the ventilator is." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all do." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, go from here to the Strand." Where does the thing come from?' "Yes, at the mines." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I shall communicate with you." these bleak autumnal evenings." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple had this final quarrel? across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from entirely lost his self-respect." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Is 4 pounds a week.' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," ran thus: corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a in. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he himself. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Mrs. Toller serenely. "We have tried and failed." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to south, for the country is more deserted there." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "The doctor?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "And how in the world did you find them?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled himself. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in in him." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and looked back.