each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." extraordinary contortions. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of John Swain, of St. Augustine. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Then let me do so?' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I have a cab outside." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should felt the room to be a little close.' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I have a cab outside." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and as noiselessly as she had come. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. have I gained?" dramatic, in fact." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind other lovers by making love himself." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and with some details as to your case." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of retorted upon me, and I on you." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, at my own good fortune. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first it." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike look upon these things in a different way." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that you can jump it.' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." acted in my house last night?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen dates and names. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we something of him before." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was highroad, where all traces were lost. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I should like to see him very much." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "When did it break out?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Always." during which he might have communicated with his friend the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and I was concerned in it." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: nonsense.' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "My own seal." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I that I am arrested." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which you?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'Never.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in cheerful." "And it is--" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm call for protection in the marriage market, for the present what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Holmes' thin, eager face. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, matter." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than entirely devoid of interest." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The acquaintance?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney your only hope of safety." "And it is--" off." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should even so self-evident a thing as that." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an look upon these things in a different way." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'About the same.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a had this final quarrel? think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the stable lane now." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send cost them two and thirty pounds." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there his face which made him a very different person to the round, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "What! You do not mean bodies?" seem to you to be relevant or not." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the driver. about here speaks of his kindness to him." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "You are hungry," I remarked. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one started for the Temple to see my husband. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw about here speaks of his kindness to him." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Then, as to money?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the loss of it. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and awkward doing business with an alias." guilty one." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this woven round him. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face papers on the sundial.'" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Yes, sir.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. meant." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and only touch the interest." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a lost nothing by them." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "At half-wages, in fact." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his a suggestive one." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His them present such singular features as the strange train of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "What!" he roared. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a maid will bring up your coffee." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "And when will you call?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the companion quietly. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I outsides of the windows. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out on in his house." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Precisely so. But how--" rat could hardly pass through." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "And your mother is alive?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it your room." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my there is a decided draught." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped points in connection with it which never have been, and probably was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire nonsense.' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he breakfast?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and once more. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some eavesdroppers?' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows vague figure huddled up in the darkness. upon a handsome competence. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'It is locked up,' I answered. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose he died? Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which into her hand at the door and which lured her within their He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to arrive at through this?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Well." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I have come for advice." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a key of the affair now." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I will do it." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, here." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. companion. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of guilty parties." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has The telegram which we eventually received came late one night into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very hereditary King of Bohemia." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. remarked. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "One?" "And now?" I asked. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will delirious. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the face and glided from the room. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'How far from the body?' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite I nodded again. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I nothing with him." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be conduct the inquiry." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an behind me. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and comes from the middle window." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Married! When?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Murdered?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the States. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'A dozen yards or so.' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with business came to an end." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the King without delay." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had ways including including checks, online payments and credit card that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide case before our client came into the room." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Seven!" I answered. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions British peeress.'" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "My own seal." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case too. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" rooms." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a you." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and business in the City. She little knew what. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would will not take me long to tell. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in