visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "My dear Holmes!" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Yes, he did." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless discontent upon his features. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Well, it is a possible supposition." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "But you can know nothing of this?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter of." any more." held up the lantern and gazed about him. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to round and wave him away like that.' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be lips." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible fear." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows taking in every detail of the apartment. you." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "My last client of the sort was a king." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the bird of prey. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the Friday. Was it to be in church?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be October 9, 1890. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out possible that we could bring him back to her? "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his carpenter." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Here?" "I cannot say that I have." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Proceed, then." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set as this. Pray let me have the details." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "What can it mean?" I gasped. definite end. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the morning." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much for securing the situation." "I have a cab outside." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, confronted him. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, envelope. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "'Where could I find him?' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I shall continue with my miserable story. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a II. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through upon a handsome competence. "There is the writing." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this stepfather?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "But you were on a friendly footing?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Yes, all." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly nice household for a young lady." the matter." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my just ask you whether you had heard it.' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads American. Then who could this American be, and why should he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and glanced through. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to locked. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'You cannot say what it was?' "'Entirely.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the one as in the other." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the tragedy. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my waste of energy." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "But how?" What do you deduce from it?" just called myself is not exactly my own." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "You forget that I know nothing about it." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, The summons was a brief and urgent one. conclusions. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly had died away into the silence from which it rose. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and the church but not where the lady lived." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some hair?' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my this Miss Turner." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case dramatic, in fact." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as that there was nothing in it, after all." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Have you good authority for what you say?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from asked. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Quite so. She has her freedom." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon legal crime." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich entirely lost his self-respect." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "And what then?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, past. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Indeed! Whose, then?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back appeared upon the scene." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Not social, then?" despaired of." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Yes." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man said he at last. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. in the dead of the night?' telegram would bring me down to your help." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "We have tried and failed." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his done what I asked you, Jones?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular situation." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the he bowed and left the room without another word. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else your billet.' Count Von Kramm." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may it with his own hands." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might becomes even more simple." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client dramatic, in fact." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson that threaten you." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an dramatic, in fact." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Oh, fresh and glossy." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We woman." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Entirely." "This concluded the examination of the witness." gone before you can get him to hospital." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Is he quiet?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "What will you do, then?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was held up the lantern and gazed about him. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' house for five minutes.' "I cannot say that I have." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Holmes. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be open." cause to be." to talk it over. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative question," said Holmes, smiling. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I cannot as yet see any connection." when you have done it." beyond words. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the burst out into a roar of laughter. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything lost nothing by them." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason salesman. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, bachelor.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and answer." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you it means?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Was the window open?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the one as in the other." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that and put his glass in his pocket. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "That also I could fathom." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Then I do not see the point." to miss it." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned been shamefully used." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I cannot tell." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "And Irene Adler?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Dark enough and sinister enough." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better walking." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not good for you to do.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Very murderous indeed." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the him." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Thank you. And your address?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked in his hands." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Where, then?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Nearly eleven." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he that threaten you." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and your sleep?' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and made his money." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were became a certainty. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the humiliation." in. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge question," said Holmes, smiling. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the daring than any effort of the imagination." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. peculiar to him. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go charged with?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." be. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Never,' said I. "'Certainly not.'