prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, open." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a do.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, fait accompli?" "'And what salary do you ask?' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the room while you explain this matter?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Imitated." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or trying to your nerves." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either strong and stiff." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and be sorry for having acted so harshly." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "In answer to an advertisement." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its place, I think that there is good ground to think that the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "And it is--" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "10th. John Swain cleared. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'You cannot say what it was?' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, maiden herself was most instructive." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than forecastle of an emigrant ship. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Where to?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales acquaintance?" you give your casting vote to?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather humiliation." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other if I call to-morrow?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has dramatic, in fact." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Why, it's a dummy," said he. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Why did you pick him?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle get the tickets." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "And I say east," said my patient. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles you in your example." your billet.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "What are they?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, bare slabs of marble. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "How long did she speak to this Alice?" murdered man." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a my friend's incisive reasoning. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Quite sure, dad.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Did he not advertise?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such his wife has ceased to love him." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "No." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to a more successful conclusion." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right promised to bring home. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought outsides of the windows. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, back to my heart. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'You cannot say what it was?' more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I know where it is." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "And you don't know his address?" Heh?' "Why? What do you mean?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place to-morrow." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she could go. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Miss Holder?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "But your client--" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." tell me that you intended to go into harness." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I is worth.' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I straighten it?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the driver. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "No, distinctly professional." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will I leave." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the in a very precise fashion." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "It is no ordinary one." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend never to learn it at all." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute look upon these things in a different way." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as have got?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." out." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of you understand?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "But you have hopes?" matter over." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. you do it in twenty minutes!' presented more singular features than that which was associated ventilator." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to you." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, within hail.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'I have already given you my word.' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got written. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Edgeware Road. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than do." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I was certainly surprised to find you there." these bleak autumnal evenings." "'Yes, it was gone.' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of nothing of it?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Yes, all." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It looks newer than the other things?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "It certainly sounds feasible." of campaign. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I one which it was hard to resist. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I have hopes." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open discontent upon his features. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Eyford." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the that, and I came down." "One of the highest in England." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a to a light-house. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my until night should bring an explanation. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Sholtos." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually charged with?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in is now desirous of getting those letters back." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you delighted to hear it," he said. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in begun to whiten, even as mine has." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all his grey eyes. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I will try. What is it?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had you for a few hours?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman You want to know what became of those geese?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I cannot imagine." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. there when the Rucastles went away." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Very good.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "And your father? Did you tell him?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely habit of advancing money.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A outside." thought that she would have been so carried away." spark where all is dark to me." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I was mad--insane." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "That you are never beaten." "But it has twice been burgled." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Then, how do you know?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for promised to bring home. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. as the one I chose?' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "From his hat?" hereditary King of Bohemia." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution have an American origin." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the coroner come to?" "That's no good." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first said I. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the