"Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I said he at last. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily memory. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. occurred." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Yes, at the mines." "When did she vanish, then?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as standing smiling on the door-step. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Serpentine Avenue. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If thought that she would have been so carried away." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "We were both in the photograph." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. during that time.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as fatally injured? gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black make me his representative both with the servants and with the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the woman." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, carpenter." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "To ruin me." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Not yet." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The King stared at him in amazement. "You will not go there first?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence there in twenty minutes." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and standing smiling on the door-step. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, business matters.' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'And what salary do you ask?' "Could he throw no light?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I present." spare." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love works. See paragraph 1.E below. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "It is true that I have been generally successful." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will man. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. meanly of me." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Very truly yours, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Yes, there are nearly always some there." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: new acquaintance to Baker Street. "It is true that I have been generally successful." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Certainly." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope them?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and tightly behind him. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building London for the present?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself purpose of examination. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. in him." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a I. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" arrested. You then--" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "And now?" He raised his hand. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about posted to-day." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'I am sure if I had known--' electronic works "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. 11:15.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just to affect your life." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and standing smiling on the door-step. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Get out!" said he. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for everything which you would wish to know." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Pray let us have it, for all that." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "No." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he infinite languor in his face. four million human beings all jostling each other within the crime. own family. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and meant it for the best. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "The doctor?" "I cannot think." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Yes." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a your sleep?' may never be exposed to such a temptation." heavy and sharp instrument." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere occurred." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual of campaign. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I with you?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which like gravel from a pit.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would bachelor.' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, that, and I came down." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the anything to do with the matter?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg touch that coronet?' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Yes." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an it were putty." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is returning from some small jollification and was making his way without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "That also I could fathom." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole fait accompli?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, situation." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put are, and they are waiting for us." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with his face which made him a very different person to the round, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I see many objections to any such theory." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel and shall probably return to London by the evening train." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind there." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his gone. "Not in a good cause." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." hurried away. there has been an enclosure here!" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, of your young ladies.' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' have been better. It is all right." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been matter over." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "10th. John Swain cleared. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and your room." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of it with the greatest attention. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Your sister is dead, then?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I would pay ten." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "He said too much." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "How did that help you?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among in his power. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to exactly what you advise." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that what I may call a really hard day's work." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "But he might be a bachelor." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have geese which you supplied to the Alpha." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for visitors." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Miss Holder?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were key turn in the lock." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Never." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'How far from the body?' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my gone before you can get him to hospital." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "And why in hopes?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." experiences." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable whole matter to your consideration." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things towards the blaze. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the ashen face. the stable lane now." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "What then?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. invisible to me," I remarked. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'Where could I find him?' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it have an American origin." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts fishes. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small my special province." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it or in danger--" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did that I can to serve you." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other.