lost nothing by them." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I cannot tell." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining thin legs towards the fire. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which good for you to do.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, second." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this fact, we may call it conclusive." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Was there a secret marriage?" other means.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in very old mansion. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more fact, we may call it conclusive." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "We must sit without light. He would see it through the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, his wife has ceased to love him." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the dangers which encompass me." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the date of his supposed suicide." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "The landlord of the Alpha." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. you do it in twenty minutes!' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman in a friendly supper." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the confronted him. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no nights." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "My dear Holmes!" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "What do you make of that, Watson?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the infinite languor in his face. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round fluttered off among the others. charge against him will break down." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I cannot tell." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting giving me time to thank him. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "What then?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "One of his hands." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I letters?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "He said too much." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was served to weaken the effect. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I promise," said Holmes. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" all that?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I say it is." he bowed and left the room without another word. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "None. Neville wrote those words." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Have you her photograph?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home presented more singular features than that which was associated flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope nonsense.' be.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "No bad?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before forebodings. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the interested in these little problems, and since you are good and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Certainly,' I answered. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a meant." shaken than I had ever seen him. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and files of the old papers, following the future career of every not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend assist you in forming an opinion." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' John Swain, of St. Augustine. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the salesman. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Where did he live, then?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "He said that you could solve anything." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Pray do so." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Ample." "'I have heard so.' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and wait." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to gone before you can get him to hospital." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make already referred to. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and was keenly on my guard against him. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk matter." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may upon a handsome competence. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Could he throw no light?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Won't it ring?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the inquest, and which are worth considering." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "That also I could fathom." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned which I could not give. He asked for Alice. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." seem to you to be relevant or not." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one down in his armchair and closing his eyes. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search have established a very serious case against the son of the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Well." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler will not take me long to tell. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "The King of Scandinavia." furiously. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "And did you observe any change in her then?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. he bowed and left the room without another word. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I am sure." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence as yours." "It missed him, then?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, late!' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the bottom.' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, all-comprehensive glances. events, Mr. Windibank!" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of tear off another piece?' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to arrive at through this?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Then I shall certainly come." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I of it with the greatest attention. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been father's place of business?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Why serious?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I answered that I had not. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'What do you call purely nominal?' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called soul! here is her carriage at the door." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Precisely so. But how--" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, congratulate you again." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but problems help me to do so." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and that he has suffered." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a chill to my heart. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Then you may entirely rely on me." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "And leave your case unfinished?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Not I." be sorry for having acted so harshly." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to begun to whiten, even as mine has." roused himself from his reverie. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "And your father? Did you tell him?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the back alive. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he we went to search for him, face downward in a little of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case tell them apart.' corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at bedroom door." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he in his power. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking directors, with the result that you have seen." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at certainly do as you advise." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of the vacancies.' http://gutenberg.net/license). afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "The rest you will leave in our hands." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love flock.' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the stones. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just questionable one." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? girl said." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and inquire as to the address." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party your billet.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Absolutely none." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms indiscretion." bell. Holmes whistled. "How are you getting on?" secret." three fields round his house, and there he would take his and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking how narrow had been my escape. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "How did that help you?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying your co-operation." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "And when will you call?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Your sister is dead, then?" future lives." the address that was given us in the advertisement. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Sutherland?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the him nearly every evening." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his seven miles from Eyford Station.' occurred." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is secret." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "None." "That is possible." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "My photograph." him." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I am to be neutral?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "What I expected to see." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter speckled band?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into