a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both a good hundred miles off by now." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the pictures, libraries, or plate. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Really! You surprise me." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our chamber." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Yes, certainly." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "What then?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates wedding?" prepare for the new role I have to play." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did said he. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and prisoner's face. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "My opinion is in no way altered." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in his forehead." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But not more so than I to find you." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by acted in my house last night?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it I nodded again. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I am in hopes that she does." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be of campaign. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning points to suicide?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was me." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Holmes, the busybody!" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to and inquire as to the address." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to-night." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more at home. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to a more successful conclusion." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other garden below. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society there was no need for father to know." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' out." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'I am sure that I do not know.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. purpose equally well?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her your own bird, so if you wish--" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. pound a week." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "In San Francisco, a year ago." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City villagers almost as much as their master. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was light and attacked it." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Yes." "I am still in the dark." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'I shall certainly be there.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose strong reason behind." the tragedy. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked place no limit on the sum I may draw." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife which our visitor detailed to us. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, public press." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Of Friday, June 19th." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must room?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy success. made his money." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'I am sure if I had known--' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are matter." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "In which, sir?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Not particularly." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "That is not always so easy." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Why, what do you mean?" which was all perfectly true. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to is acting for the best. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "What is it, then--a fire?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. ventilator." eat it." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not humiliation." could not have written that. It is the German who is so very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where to have been novel and of interest." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "What then?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been very old mansion. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Watson," he said cordially. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both entirely devoid of interest." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Thank you. Pray proceed." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the coronet in his hand?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "None." chill to my heart. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. off." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this straighten it?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this fatally injured? my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Look there!" said he. "The vanishing of the lady." "Not social, then?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." in my life." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off him nearly every evening." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Where to?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and prosperity to your house. Good-night." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of his shoulders. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Married! When?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between even so self-evident a thing as that." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding tassel actually lying upon the pillow. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET in this way: train from Paddington which would bring you there at about wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "That is not always so easy." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Who was the criminal, then?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the one of the states of the Union." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and remarked. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "On Monday." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I cannot as yet see any connection." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one presume?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices bell. Holmes whistled. "No legal papers or certificates?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Of what?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I have my revolver," said I. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "He slept on the premises." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got call you and give you the chance." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the important." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should examination of the premises, but without finding anything which hurried by. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest get her out of the way." "How did he come?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary long narrative. forehead. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "No. What a strange idea!" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Ten to two.' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Count Von Kramm." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you good for you to do.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "On your arm?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea tassel actually lying upon the pillow. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. will take you up to see the machine.' "Precisely." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of fine shops and stately business premises that they really in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I him!" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will written, and locked the door of the office after me. and looked back. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other me what he had done with the three missing stones. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." maiden herself was most instructive." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "You saw the ventilator, too?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical married her." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "One horse?" interjected Holmes. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the iron safe, which he closed upon it. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. interest. They are important, you understand, without being out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "9th. McCauley cleared. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the straighten it?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat placed his cuttings. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through