One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Oh, fresh and glossy." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" cigar and let me expound." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. washing it down with a long draught of water. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much signal between you and your father? as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "But not more so than I to find you." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I cannot imagine." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough meanly of me." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "It is possible." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "That you are never beaten." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Then I am your man." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments retorted upon me, and I on you." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "And the murderer?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would was keenly on my guard against him. of your young ladies.' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "And your mother is alive?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make conceal it?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "But his left-handedness." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "But how will you look?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. developed." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, mystery!" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I answered that I had not. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to that you saw all that I did." "How did you trace it, then?" hand, madam?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, highroad, where all traces were lost. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are yourselves in at night?" hurried away. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most bears upon the case?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net carpenter." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large detective. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird door?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous congratulate you again." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "You saw the ventilator, too?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Indeed! Whose, then?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the bottom.' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Then I can wait in the next room." "Then I can wait in the next room." corner of the building. about here speaks of his kindness to him." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the ceiling. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public said he. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "What! You do not mean bodies?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking have got?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at But Holmes shook his head gravely. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Where did you address your letters, then?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "The Cedars?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in wedding?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "No?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. orange pips. your room." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window shall not find me ungrateful." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I rose-bushes. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "At half-wages, in fact." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I are, and they are waiting for us." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." ready to-morrow?' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Entirely." on re-entering her father's house?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was his cane at the bell-pull. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'Yes, sir.' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain bill, which interests me deeply." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a way: room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured companion. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen orange pips. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "And leave your case unfinished?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which thin legs towards the fire. populous neighbourhood." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both searched, without anything being found which could incriminate brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the south-west, I see." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was me what he had done with the three missing stones. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Will you bet, then?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, not within a twentieth part of the market price." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Mary, has deserted me." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than she to prove their authenticity?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring was a loud and authoritative tap. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, late!' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "This photograph!" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." is," said he presently: it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "The murder was done with it." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass wall." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "My photograph." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her she might be summoned. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is remarked. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the you do it in twenty minutes!' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Precisely so. But how--" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "And now?" He raised his hand. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, corner of the building. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of how narrow had been my escape. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if me. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the bed, and you in that chair." "Yes." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," call you and give you the chance." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Farm upon the left." "But not more so than I to find you." papers diligently of late, have you not?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, locked." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I should wish to." rat could hardly pass through." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the address that was given us in the advertisement. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "In what way?" asked Holmes. bill, which interests me deeply." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the child." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that the gas is not laid on in his house?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "No, distinctly professional." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." helping a boy to put up the shutters. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, which was all perfectly true. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for occurred." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that was a perfect sample of the class. "Ample." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you