and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, all-comprehensive glances. "Eh? What was that?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." success. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man IS always that they were such commands as a lady might with where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "What is it, then--a fire?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was up this clue while it is still hot." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in cigar and let me expound." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the ceiling. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "The gentleman I describe." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't writers could invent nothing more crude." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual affection." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "His face fell immediately. "Why did you pick him?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. than was visible to me." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return which it had come upon my father." "It's nothing of the kind." License. You must require such a user to return or "Where did you address your letters, then?" have established a very serious case against the son of the invisible to me," I remarked. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we a room. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room any." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the inquest, and which are worth considering." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, was shining brightly. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." shall not find me ungrateful." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to appointment with me for six o'clock?" "A greater distance to travel." careless servant girl?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. enough to aid us in our search." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot information in his hands the value of which he did not himself many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him I shall continue with my miserable story. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well all?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be before, for it was considerably after midnight. other, as fresh and trim as possible. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank know what is wrong with it.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards in. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened so.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to any more." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' as the one I chose?' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had once more to my work. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow very old mansion. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Will you bet, then?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to chill to my heart. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "But how?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' goes." hour." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from could not have written that. It is the German who is so ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty prepare for the new role I have to play." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "At what time?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you as the one I chose?' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we suspect him." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. window when the police appeared." coat-tails." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Arthur Conan Doyle "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Absolutely none." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he my special province." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and telegram would bring me down to your help." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that just called myself is not exactly my own." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was arrested. You then--" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than roused himself from his reverie. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "What do you mean?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left if she died from some sudden fright." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Have you good authority for what you say?" brain must have something in it." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the was lame." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I am about to be married." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Did your wife hear all this?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and conclusions. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." head. So long, then!" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "But you have hopes?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "What, then?" derbies." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical mystery!" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking him. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast back to my heart. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, have I gained?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very province." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one went to the Alpha were town bred." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect figure." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was spark where all is dark to me." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into bearing upon the case." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual bed dies. Does not that strike you?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Yes." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood arrested. You then--" "Did your wife hear all this?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Foundation some city in a dream. "What will you do, then?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "This photograph!" kind enough to tell me what I should do." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson showing my impatience. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Yes, at the mines." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I was mad--insane." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Have you her photograph?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at girl said." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and files of the old papers, following the future career of every almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Come in!" said Holmes. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the window, rose as we entered. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the manager. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Ten will be early enough." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the house with me." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no of the efforts of the United States government and of the better something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and in darkness. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, developed." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY yards of it?' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have putting in the horse. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so trifles." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make call you and give you the chance." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. seen the man in the road." persecution?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, distinguish the words: ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek strength in the others." "But not more so than I to find you." "And how have you succeeded?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do foresight and the moral retrogression?" depend upon my doing so.' key turn in the lock." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the bottom.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "And from a noble client?" me where it went to?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "And you can do nothing until then?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would with some details as to your case." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Yes, but only for you and me." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Why? What do you mean?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard,