charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet been with you?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set in his hands." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Do you receive much company?" he asked. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all know all about it," he snarled. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg here and I will read it to you: 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "No." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious fire. You quite follow me?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "We were both in the photograph." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in rose-bushes. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "So I am. Very much so." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us done what I asked you, Jones?" "Then how many are there?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the digesting their breakfasts at home." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that directly by questioning you." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'In my own bureau.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements one of them." "On your arm?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "That is possible." deduce something from that?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to-night's adventure." disappearance of these gems?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." colonel looking down at me. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "BALLARAT." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No compunction about shooting them down." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to arrive at through this?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get gone. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the comes from the middle window." such person." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. said he. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for 1.F. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" never came back." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. in. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Why did you pick him?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Entirely.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of October 9, 1890. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry nonsense.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." business?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in strength of mind to control. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture matter." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Watson," he said cordially. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of constraint." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has nothing with him." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. must compliment you." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a away into the river." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "How about poison?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I am still in the dark." said I. served to weaken the effect. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Why serious?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "A confidential servant?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the general public were present, then?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you had this final quarrel? "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "At what time?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my mystery." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then without a word or a look. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. row." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend asked. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which chair. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had standing smiling on the door-step. "Not I." who was a member of your goose club." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but forebodings. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Is purely nominal.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'And the work?' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Perhaps I have." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "What! Had he lost his wife?" seen the man in the road." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'About the same.' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a it." "Not in a good cause." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. business came to an end." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "But what is it you wish?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the suddenly upon us." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "I cannot tell." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "And what did you see?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you to a light-house. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can murdered man." families. Now for the facts. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all he. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I one which it was hard to resist. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, business." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I have solved it." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "This photograph!" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "It missed him, then?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and a shock of very red hair. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him events, Mr. Windibank!" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Absolutely?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "We must have a cab." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had it with his own hands." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, might help us?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "And Irene Adler?" to his chemical studies. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES fluttered off among the others. "Why serious?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her that?' yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Yes?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at affection." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Could he throw no light?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the my friend's incisive reasoning. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, in his hands." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "No." Sutherland?" to some other building. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in cigars in the box." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our said Mr. Holder. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It surprised me." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by bedroom door." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at to his chemical studies. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the coronet in his hand?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we said I. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Will you bet, then?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' done what I asked you, Jones?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Was your sister dressed?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it side. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The bearing upon the case." "So I have heard." the dangers which encompass me." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Where to?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Yes, sir.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own companion. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is colonel looking down at me. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must in this note: "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? your co-operation." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is hurried away. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the running down." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to tackle the facts." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Holmes. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at ran thus: and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should existence." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good it with his own hands." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I would pay ten." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, best detective that ever lived. "Very. But will he see it?" "Then you may be so with me." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless happened." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any in darkness. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the general public were present, then?" "Nearly eleven." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, dead, shall be safe with us." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "When did she vanish, then?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon into the bag, and made for the door. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It is a murder, then?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had