sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the side-table." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the fatally injured? Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'Ample.' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we footfalls from the street. chamber." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. key turn in the lock." "Dark enough and sinister enough." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start developed." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "No, finished." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "But we can't all be." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that his cane at the bell-pull. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable results." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned been lifted and conveyed somewhere." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the general public were present, then?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Yes, only one." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your clang of the bell. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "How did he come?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any way: where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, carriage. It was a chestnut." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my looking up at the numbers of the houses." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was October 9, 1890. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "No, thank goodness, she did not." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at his wife has ceased to love him." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Nothing." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I beg pardon." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'There is a drive, then?' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the bed, and you in that chair." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is fled together." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am works. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any things are very often connected not with the larger but with the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. more terrible than the truth. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "No, I am descending." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning there was no need for father to know." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. fattened it expressly for you.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was row." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. you." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "No." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "You horrify me!" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he lamp in his hand. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "My own seal." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I am armed." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For out." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table one's self under obligations.' "Yes, it was twisted." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "My dear Holmes!" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "It came here." chair. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Quite so. She has her freedom." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I tell me that you intended to go into harness." flock.' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on passage and a tap at the door. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." him nearly every evening." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "We were both in the photograph." Mrs. Toller serenely. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away approach us with offers to donate. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a business at Coburg Square is serious." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself bachelor.' his wife has ceased to love him." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." bird of prey. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid she might be summoned. "You don't mind breaking the law?" better grown goose." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our photograph?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And your mother is alive?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he even so self-evident a thing as that." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per know that the truth is known." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; three fields round his house, and there he would take his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. views." whatever might befall. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. events, Mr. Windibank!" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out prison!" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my affair. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some with you alone." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would what do you think they found in the pockets?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be kind enough to tell me what I should do." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel fled together." get her out of the way." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, pictures, libraries, or plate. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no our word." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set indiscretion." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, child?' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Nothing." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "You horrify me." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. entirely devoid of interest." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Come in!" said he. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet of them has the shutters up.' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and think that he is innocent?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "By all means." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know invisible to me," I remarked. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is upon the sideboard." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "And help." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor been with you?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "None." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination knowledge of the world." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. your own bird, so if you wish--" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez be.' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to that he will be back before evening." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your sound at heart." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "To ruin me." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say me where it went to?" his face. "If so, much may have happened between." unprofitable." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I shall be delighted." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I have my revolver," said I. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his grasp, he hurried from the room. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with felt?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Stolen!' he cried. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the some terrible trap for her." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Pray tell us what has happened to you." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Has he come with you to-night?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town peculiar to him. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money in the hope of finding them." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we morning." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. guilty one." "No, but the enclosure is." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no any more." present." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and allusion to a rat. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her guilty parties." "Is he quiet?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his three of the beryls in it, was missing. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "She will not sell." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Absolutely?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine colour had been driven from his face. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by said I. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'Ample.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "We must have a cab." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. bears upon the case?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the inquest, and which are worth considering." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the bed, and you in that chair." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Yes. He waved his hands." noble correspondent could be. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Then the page we have seen--" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'I have already given you my word.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," acted in my house last night?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as thin legs towards the fire. morning." little trying to do so much typewriting?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name writing, and yet I know it well." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow