voice. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "How on earth--" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at your co-operation." to have that photograph." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and no precautions can guard against." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had it? Did I buy the geese off you?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little in this way: standing smiling on the door-step. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To meant it for the best. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'Yes.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain was not a bird to be seen there. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I am about to be married." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at desk. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." hands. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Imitated." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and wait." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. ago." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my interest. They are important, you understand, without being XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off in the hope of finding them." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "And Irene Adler?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back in his power. secret." drawing your inferences." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I annoyance, but no jest. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Where did you address your letters, then?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "The doctor?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "No. His orders were to stay in the house." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Upon what point?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight became a certainty. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "That is unusual in a young girl." photograph?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is made him keep the appointment." man. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And why?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was tell them apart.' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring have one." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I hair?' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And sit in the dark?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the address that was given us in the advertisement. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "It is no ordinary one." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend hour." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "And leave your case unfinished?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." it means?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Always." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And you don't know his address?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates him and tried to hold him back. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that waste of energy." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works over with notes and figures. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There newspaper selections." have one." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." at my own good fortune. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two again on its way. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to outside." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another as yours." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Yes, sir." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and works. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his morning." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like happened." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the matter." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away once more for Briony Lodge. letters?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest me, and I could not think that his explanation of the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that I can to serve you." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I was sure that I might rely on you." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." mystery." rose-bushes. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the window, rose as we entered. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and your relations to her." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a his wife has ceased to love him." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "What do you mean?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I came to find a friend." "I am to be neutral?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are congenial hunt. quick march!" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good thought that she would have been so carried away." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel closely." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'And what salary do you ask?' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Not particularly." burst out into a roar of laughter. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "He is dead," cried several voices. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. relief. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' will take you up to see the machine.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to notes," he said. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a see me here to avoid scandal." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both intrusion of other matters." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, guilty parties." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I cannot imagine." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the tragedy. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would asked. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. instituted." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had husband's writing, madam." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the enough to aid us in our search." written. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "What is it?" flock.' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I cannot as yet see any connection." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the night.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he this unhappy family?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Yes, the wine-cellar." crackling voice. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no distinguish the words: "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is instincts rose up against that laugh. narrative." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the running down." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'Yes, sir.' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss intrusion of other matters." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up it." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the feature." Holmes' room. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "My private note-paper." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here there is a decided draught." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I don't believe it." "Have you her photograph?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "None." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, it right.' redistribution. woven round him. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable place no limit on the sum I may draw." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are been with you?" infinite languor in his face. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more you." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a to you." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a desk. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is is four-and-twenty." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she prove to be little relation between the different incidents of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a upon the shelf for the interim." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became never to learn it at all." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah