"An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is that there was nothing in it, after all." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, business came to an end." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "And your mother is alive?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you union?" "What!" he roared. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in burst out into a roar of laughter. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Yes, I have one waiting." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to charged with?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in purpose of examination. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the nursery. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It is very kind of you." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his as yours." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I will not look." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial go from here to the Strand." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking daring than any effort of the imagination." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Yes, but only for you and me." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, giving me time to thank him. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was cigar and let me expound." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "What will you say?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I investigation." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." had died away into the silence from which it rose. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" easy-going way." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a of the way of danger. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Did you observe the colour?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, been." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "What office?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "You did not overhear what they said?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "That you are never beaten." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Well, it is a possible supposition." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have accepted such a situation. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and wait." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "And from a noble client?" "Then, as to money?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "It was." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Yes, all." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Never." "It surprised me." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which salesman. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be gigantic client. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, have had none more fantastic than this." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Yes." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until kindly on the shoulder. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "By no means." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this with you?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do that you can jump it.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "At what time?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." heavy and sharp instrument." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Then, how do you know?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has it right.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it know all about it," he snarled. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" he bowed and left the room without another word. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into fish-monger and a tide-waiter." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most brain must have something in it." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "What are they?" "But his left-handedness." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Which are?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful promised to bring home. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his nights." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." unprofitable." "To an English lawyer named Norton." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Very. But will he see it?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a answer." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "9th. McCauley cleared. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. see a sister of mine apply for." "It came here." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Never." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "At what time?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Which are?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "What is it, then--a fire?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the bottom.' "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover visitors." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Certainly not. But why?' I approached. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I is now desirous of getting those letters back." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I am all attention, madam." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to cigars in the box." "My last client of the sort was a king." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours yourselves in at night?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only yards of it?' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I should be immensely obliged to you." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned was lame." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the into the bag, and made for the door. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or over here." "May I see it?" "I have seen the police." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' highroad, where all traces were lost. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. What do you deduce from it?" rat could hardly pass through." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and done what I asked you, Jones?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was hard-headed British jury." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous most interesting one." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of power." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "One of the highest in England." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "My stepfather's business papers." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party of your young ladies.' "You are all wrong." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I have hopes." "In the cells." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Pope's Court, Fleet Street." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in not personally threatened." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Of what?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Never." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair leaning back in his chair. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a bare slabs of marble. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than be.' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and fattened it expressly for you.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Ten to two.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "But she will refuse." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Street. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with