with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double paper in the air. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the devil!" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Look there!" said he. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the side-table." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Do you know him?" "And your mother is alive?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was are, I think, all that we need." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You have compromised yourself seriously." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he past. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up papers diligently of late, have you not?" this poor creature." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your was a loud and authoritative tap. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You did not overhear what they said?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Do you go out much in society?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course McCarthy's innocence. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine power." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "And now?" I asked. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little morning." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." attention." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence maiden herself was most instructive." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his huge brown hands. "I beg pardon." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "In heaven's name, what for?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who acquaintance?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises in the hope of finding them." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "How did that help you?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be society." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to as the one I chose?' strength." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in obstinate." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "But you can know nothing of this?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. opportunities to fix the problem. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Your presence might be invaluable." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said room. least a most suspicious remark." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate to-night?' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, is a common subject for conversation. persecution?" forehead. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a your most interesting statement." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to miss it." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "How did that help you?" for the market.' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in new duties?' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your never will be, entirely cleared up. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY outside. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, purpose equally well?" think you a quite exceptional woman." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the once more for Briony Lodge. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." next day. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth not within a twentieth part of the market price." interests were the same as his." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I you understand?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. matters immensely." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He night.' said he. not fit the lock." nice household for a young lady." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded future lives." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "What is it, then--a fire?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in one which it was hard to resist. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Then the page we have seen--" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor or in danger--" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I promise," said Holmes. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Yes, sir." your billet.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "To ruin me." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Very murderous indeed." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman have been better. It is all right." yet." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble families. Now for the facts. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Again Holmes raved in the air. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving even so self-evident a thing as that." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a if I call to-morrow?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he you?' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; closely." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." laugh and put his lips to my ear. in. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the I have it here in my museum." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. mystery." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Sutherland?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And help." system of imprisonment?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Chief Executive and Director cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I whole matter to your consideration." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes of note-paper. It read in this fashion: such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, to-night's adventure." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly morning." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that husband's writing, madam." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between shoulder; "he's all right." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Stolen." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might seem to you to be relevant or not." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the iron safe, which he closed upon it. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two my room." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his closing the door. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Seven!" I answered. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "To ruin me." Doctor, of the paper and the date." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'Then let me do so?' it right.' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "A greater distance to travel." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the might have a private word with us. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "No, my brougham is waiting." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They thirty. father's place of business?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the to-night." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time thin legs towards the fire. before the coroner and the police-court." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off together. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to passage and a tap at the door. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining dramatic, in fact." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It have got?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and standing smiling on the door-step. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when bell. Holmes whistled. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently her also." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the window, rose as we entered. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "On the contrary, this is the right side." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is was shining brightly. "I am armed." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one people don't know." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "You know me, then?" "ARAT," I read. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little such person." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Could he throw no light?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your heavy and sharp instrument." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. do." them present such singular features as the strange train of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little heavily into it. Serpentine Avenue. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious