round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of drawing your inferences." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "It is possible." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "And that is--" "And Irene Adler?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is we went to search for him, face downward in a little "And on what day did he meet his death?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "On your arm?" forehead. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and glanced through. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Doctor, of the paper and the date." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the compunction about shooting them down." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. bearing upon the case." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. success. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "No." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their to go into your room and bar your shutters?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I beg pardon." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That himself to tell his story. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "That was it, sir." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "My photograph." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but could gather together that I was able to avert another public envelope. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to take care of herself." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Pray let us have it, for all that." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, if she died from some sudden fright." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "But you would not advise me to refuse?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned waste of energy." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another upon an income of about 60 pounds." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and your Highness to the police-station?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing electronic works all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no records." felt the room to be a little close.' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you national property. I was determined that the law should have its exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that trifles." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully papers on the sundial.'" again." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to asked. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, murdered man." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Certainly." your troubles." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might derbies." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon prison!" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your front of me. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be charged with?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "A call for help, you thought?" copied or distributed: "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "What then?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that generous with you in money matters.' "Never." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my front of me. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Yes." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You outbreak?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the fatally injured? for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Precisely." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur could not account in any way for the presence of the missing during which he might have communicated with his friend the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of my room." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or other, as fresh and trim as possible. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be asked. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "To the police?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in little trying to do so much typewriting?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I have my revolver," said I. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It leave you to your papers for a little." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought legal crime." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to already been minutely examined." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" lumber-room." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my never came back." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I cannot think." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a paper in the air. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Munro.' believe that I should never have any practice at all. "What?" from the brougham. "Won't it ring?" client, rising. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Where does the thing come from?' "Precisely." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "But how?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'About the same.' transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of go--none." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an which are rolled in Rotterdam." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical wedding?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 felt the room to be a little close.' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless soul! here is her carriage at the door." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I if only as a check to my own memory." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case whole matter to your consideration." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the there has been an enclosure here!" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the one as in the other." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler open." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon always that they were such commands as a lady might with paper in the air. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my his huge brown hands. the south-west, I see." said he. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled straightened it out again. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Was she in good spirits?" "I say it is." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "The doctor?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among that I can to serve you." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "His face fell immediately. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of when you have done it." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an third from London." is," said he presently: "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Street. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to recover the gem." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is brought there to personate someone, and the real person is main points of my analysis." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "And why in hopes?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes, I have one waiting." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of have got?" him!" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Her father is very rich?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Here?" "'As governess?' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain question you as to those details which seem to me to be most from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "But his lameness?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: whole matter to your consideration." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out strength in the others." four million human beings all jostling each other within the in a very precise fashion." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "But you were on a friendly footing?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Not in a good cause." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make ago." of the vacancies.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not cause to be." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "In heaven's name, what for?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly meanly of me." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you signal between you and your father? was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, License. You must require such a user to return or "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said this man was intellectual?" "I say it is." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'What would be the hours?' I asked. are, and they are waiting for us." meant it for the best. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the quick march!" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid results." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I was mad--insane." there is a decided draught." which was all perfectly true. Surrey." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I awkward doing business with an alias." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of this gang." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. writer." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which started for the Temple to see my husband. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Dr. Gregory B. Newby presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at use an arc-and-compass breastpin." carpenter." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "What then?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each to miss it." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. writer." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is green of the new foliage. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself