my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Where, indeed?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "About a month then." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten strode off upon his way. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Stoke Moran." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my cigar and let me expound." conceal it?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'And the work?' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were he died? "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "My dear Holmes!" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, strong reason behind." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the away to you." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Certainly,' I answered. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the coronet in his hand?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to for the market.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue absorbing." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'I have heard so.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss other, as fresh and trim as possible. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I detained." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. away into the river." of them has the shutters up.' events, Mr. Windibank!" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And why?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. voice. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Quite sure, dad.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I see no marks." death." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" key turn in the lock." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Yes, he did." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." writers could invent nothing more crude." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend more solid." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'Certainly not. But why?' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the one of the states of the Union." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building telegram would bring me down to your help." Farm upon the left." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at that I am arrested." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And little trying to do so much typewriting?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little disturbance in my wife." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier over here." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She answered with a sidelong glance. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "But your client--" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Never." that you can jump it.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Could he throw no light?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I my little problems." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "May I see it?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "She showed me, as I told you she would." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his McCarthy's innocence. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He before, for it was considerably after midnight. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have examine." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at hand, madam?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young becomes even more simple." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. he bowed and left the room without another word. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are vanished into the darkness. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always points in connection with it which never have been, and probably very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which went to the Alpha were town bred." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "And why in hopes?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Yes. He waved his hands." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Why? What do you mean?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "We were both in the photograph." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just which are rolled in Rotterdam." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black were new raised from a basin. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Perhaps I have." "In San Francisco, a year ago." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I cannot tell." ran thus: firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "There are none." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm infinite languor in his face. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand your most interesting statement." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." important." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City room. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you companion quietly. "Was he the only applicant?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "To ruin me." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Pray do so." has little to do with my story." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "What can it mean?" I gasped. case before our client came into the room." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "The best possible." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I nonsense.' maid will bring up your coffee." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." strength in the others." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their cup of tea. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that I am arrested." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of invisible to me," I remarked. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. into the room. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are mystery!" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "There is the writing." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, for the market.' legal crime." October 9, 1890. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked know what is wrong with it.' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return people in all walks of life. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. go--none." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into overpowering excitement and concern. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales hurried away. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not him to go away.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of it with the greatest attention. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "The best possible." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." status with the IRS. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying fasten all the windows?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Do you go out much in society?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "But what harm can there be in that?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Where could I find him?' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I am all attention, madam." "One of his hands." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will becomes even more simple." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "And I say east," said my patient. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" tightly behind him. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St.