rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were feature." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "You think so, too?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. occurred." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, unclasping of his long thin hands. matter over." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of before, for it was considerably after midnight. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "The landlord of the Alpha." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off head. So long, then!" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. of it with the greatest attention. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "How did you deduce the select?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "How many? I don't know." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, written. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself beyond words. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Entirely." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us upon the sideboard." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind with you?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "No." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our promised to bring home. and effective." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "And how in the world did you find them?" from you?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I think that it is very probable." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "You horrify me." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot paper in the air. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes there has been an enclosure here!" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Where did he live, then?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Come in!" said Holmes. from the brougham. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own shag which I had seen upon the previous night. dear old homesteads?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the keep the flames under. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "He disappeared so suddenly." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Stoke Moran?" said he. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Seven!" I answered. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I am sure." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Do you know him?" "'Never,' said I. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case showing my impatience. to his chemical studies. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The knees of his trousers." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right experiences." to his chemical studies. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was tell them apart.' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'Certainly not. But why?' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic up this clue while it is still hot." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. character. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It surprised me." and I shall be with you presently." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Then I shall certainly come." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "And did you observe any change in her then?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank or other trace. But how on earth--" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in drawing your inferences." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'Never,' said I. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Well?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "There are none." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." shall use the carriage to-night." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Holmes' thin, eager face. that there was nothing in it, after all." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys she slowly sank and died without having recovered her brought there to personate someone, and the real person is bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Nothing." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Count Von Kramm." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and fat-encircled eyes. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." strode off upon his way. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my there!' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I answered that I had not. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. During two years I have had three consultations and one small in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'You cannot say what it was?' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could him to go away.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the remarked. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. wanted for ourselves." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thirty. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it good for you to do.' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith within hail.' "What! You do not mean bodies?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely had died away into the silence from which it rose. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Why did you beat the pavement?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of name is different." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I am still in the dark." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, there." the station." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, it was twisted." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried lips." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'I shall certainly be there.' "'How far from the body?' some city in a dream. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of back alive. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch to surprise her." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "By all means." arrested. You then--" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see him." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of father's place of business?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a then?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are chance at all." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at outside. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two room had already been engaged for us. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I think that it is very probable." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; upon an income of about 60 pounds." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds dates and names. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six his huge brown hands. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Where did you address your letters, then?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Do you know him?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have to his chemical studies. "9th. McCauley cleared. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Then you may entirely rely on me." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which out." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to whereabouts. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and into the bag, and made for the door. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the so-precious time, but come!' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "By no means." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'You cannot say what it was?' "One of the highest in England." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I have hopes." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I to tackle the facts." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which I could not give. He asked for Alice. of Fenchurch Street." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt could not have written that. It is the German who is so "It was." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." purpose equally well?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Never,' said I. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, one's self under obligations.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the it right.' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls developed." and the colonel ushered me in. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a my friend's incisive reasoning. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and shall use the carriage to-night." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "He said that you could solve anything." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Yes, certainly." "Who was the criminal, then?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan are windows in it, of course?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of guilty one." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In were new raised from a basin. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of your young ladies.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the so far?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I was afraid that you were engaged." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to me. eat it." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now there!' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He rat could hardly pass through." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during McCarthy's innocence. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Did you observe the colour?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a down. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "To an English lawyer named Norton." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "My last client of the sort was a king." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, License. You must require such a user to return or it." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to you." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "You saw the ventilator, too?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an status with the IRS. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady electronic works "'Stolen!' he cried. "Tired-looking or fresh?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are