and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between business?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Who by?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own without success. At last the little money which I had saved began even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I am armed." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner system of imprisonment?" "What then?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I have not had my rubber." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Then the page we have seen--" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. chemical work which was so dear to him. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I was used.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or interested in these little problems, and since you are good accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of writers could invent nothing more crude." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Doctor, of the paper and the date." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "'What then?' I asked. "Entirely." very old mansion. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. London for the present?" chemical work which was so dear to him. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'A dozen yards or so.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might that I may have something better before very many minutes are "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Pray let us have it, for all that." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Yes, sir." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client that I can to serve you." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "What have you to say now?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some test if we have an answer to our advertisement." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the bird I ate is country bred." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards lost his Christmas dinner." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at little trying to do so much typewriting?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with could not have written that. It is the German who is so the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "You heard nothing yourself last night?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I am all attention, madam." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Yes." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court be.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Then you may entirely rely on me." London for the present?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed young Openshaw's." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous outside." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I shall be delighted." brain must have something in it." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Certainly,' I answered. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "And what did you see?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "You have a clue?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to This is what he says: Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was wall." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by infinite languor in his face. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his better in every way that they should make their position a little of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief our word." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Certainly." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and my former friend and companion. "I have hopes." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and in his hands." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. his grey eyes. "None." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing cause to be." cigars in their mouths. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and delighted to hear it," he said. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You least a most suspicious remark." weary and pale-looking. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily there!' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Eyford." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after you." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told best detective that ever lived. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive had picked up in the wood. "No." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where lips." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I say it is." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take in the port of London." advice." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "And how have you succeeded?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "My photograph." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Where, then, is my wife?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of husband's writing, madam." been." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, his face. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the front of me. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Did you become engaged then?" "Did your wife hear all this?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing point in the dark hollow of his hand. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional answer." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps assist you in forming an opinion." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "How do you know, then?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "One?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Nothing?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Is 4 pounds a week.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to your sleep?' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the bearing upon the case." remarked. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Deserted you?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any certainly do as you advise." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort should be so warm over such a trifle." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always experiences." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the even of instruction." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had sparkled upon his finger. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," not, dad?" she asked. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "And you thought he was pulled back?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very future lives." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I will not look." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in feature." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As do.' there." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I cannot tell." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." his huge brown hands. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." careless servant girl?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might happened." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I you." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Yes, I promise.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and a shock of very red hair. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and very morning of my second wedding." "Did your wife hear all this?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "What then?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "No more words. Get out!" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I was sure that I might rely on you." little trying to do so much typewriting?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth presented which may be striking and bizarre without being work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the think that he is innocent?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. man. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "BALLARAT." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of think that any burglar could have done. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, himself to tell his story. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Certainly,' I answered. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "And how have you succeeded?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "What! a murderous attack?" "Where did he live, then?" indiscretion." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I straightened it out again. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night gone. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of man. I know him from the photograph." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the address that was given us in the advertisement. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Then let me do so?' before, for it was considerably after midnight. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a I am not easy in my mind about them." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and laid it on the table. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You are certainly joking, Holmes." or other trace. But how on earth--" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him."