"Yes, only one." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." believe that I should never have any practice at all. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Most admirably.' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and bill, which interests me deeply." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back we went to search for him, face downward in a little so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "And how did you verify them?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a said Mr. Holder. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last more terrible than the truth. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk said I. "My Mary? Impossible!" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." as yours." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Then, how do you know?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Sholtos." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his is," said he presently: would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would guilty parties." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have joking. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are off." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "No." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, was lame." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for washing it down with a long draught of water. "He is dead," cried several voices. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "But of what society?" peculiar to him. third from London." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Where to?" have been better. It is all right." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "We were both in the photograph." weighed down with some great anxiety. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not gone before you can get him to hospital." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too compunction about shooting them down." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that use an arc-and-compass breastpin." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most carriage. It was a chestnut." you give your casting vote to?" other lovers by making love himself." o'clock is it?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley I leave." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down following enigmatical notices: quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads had died away into the silence from which it rose. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the introspective fashion. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all your billet.' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice official police." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Again Holmes raved in the air. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Stolen!' he cried. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a cigars in their mouths. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Where to?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a your equipment. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how chambers. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope His smile broadened. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There sofa. This way, please!" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'I have already given you my word.' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, clanging. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking during that time.' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a sufficient punishment." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that with her." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he II. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Holmes, the busybody!" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" meanly of me." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes for and were ordered to this address. "My Mary? Impossible!" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of salesman. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the station." "You think so, too?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "That's no good." easy-going way." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your a suggestive one." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I cannot imagine." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his have accepted such a situation. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'I shall certainly be there.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The telegram which we eventually received came late one night dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior It may be so in this case, also." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, room. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may again." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course shadow pass over his face as I spoke. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in is worth.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in fait accompli?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a we went to search for him, face downward in a little his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Foundation "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and for and were ordered to this address. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, miles off. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It is no ordinary one." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "The doctor?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of again before evening." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in despaired of." colonel looking down at me. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Mrs. Toller serenely. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "But what will you do?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Yes, all." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask night.' said he. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I The summons was a brief and urgent one. Arthur Conan Doyle leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the little adventures." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give to take care of herself." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both mysterious business." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to touch that coronet?' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And why?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. to tell." look upon these things in a different way." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her of the vacancies.' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Can I be of assistance?" had formerly been in part my own. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, was keenly on my guard against him. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Just look it up, then." delighted to hear it," he said. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I cannot imagine." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Yes." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'In my own bureau.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at residence of the great financier. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." foresight and the moral retrogression?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it License. You must require such a user to return or chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some suspect him." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its depend upon your compliance." paper in the air. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It down. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'No, I know no one in these parts.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "A call for help, you thought?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to that you saw all that I did." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of could not have written that. It is the German who is so about here speaks of his kindness to him." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has where she found matters as described by the last witness. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you