gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime absolutely follow my advice in every respect." your bag." "I will get her to show me." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I cannot think." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are your sleep?' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of you." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'I have already given you my word.' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I should be immensely obliged to you." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would strength of mind to control. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, have not had my rubber." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "What then?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a she might be summoned. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on during that time.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little sparkled upon his finger. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many feature." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Very much so." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Heh?' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture you." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated all-comprehensive glances. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to wanted for ourselves." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and McCarthy." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "And why?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the lost his Christmas dinner." my secret was safe in his possession. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I as the one I chose?' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of is now desirous of getting those letters back." confronted him. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a experiences." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "What do you make of that, Watson?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, bearing upon the case." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Not in a good cause." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Thank you. And your address?" "Really! You surprise me." the morning and make my own way in the world.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly was it brought him the coronet? name is different." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. II. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Did your wife hear all this?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the bed, and you in that chair." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has death." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Won't it ring?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came take the flies, but not before." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like arrested. You then--" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and that he would see to anything that turned up. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after with frightened eyes at his accuser. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Tired-looking or fresh?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for chance at all." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to south, for the country is more deserted there." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Bought." "Precisely." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have think that he is innocent?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have carpenter." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his only touch the interest." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems becomes even more simple." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "What! a murderous attack?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some their singular warning or token before them when starting upon of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, three fields round his house, and there he would take his but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the minor matters until to-morrow." in my life." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "What office?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the asked. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer shaken than I had ever seen him. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." go back?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Well." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. photograph a cabinet?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been opened the door, and slipped through. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards respectable self." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe photograph a cabinet?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the his face. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Was your sister dressed?" "No." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "You saw the ventilator, too?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his in a friendly supper." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "What office?" following enigmatical notices: day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his just called myself is not exactly my own." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Come in!" said he. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" affair. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long returning from some small jollification and was making his way agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not remarked. may never be exposed to such a temptation." to a light-house. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Yes, I have one waiting." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. gone. problems help me to do so." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and you want, then?' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Yes, it was gone.' unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "What can it mean?" I gasped. Holmes' face clouded over. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which careless servant girl?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Thank you. Pray proceed." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was just called myself is not exactly my own." guilty one." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security fact, we may call it conclusive." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "What can it mean?" I gasped. are windows in it, of course?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the true." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Yes, at the mines." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of know that the truth is known." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "It looks newer than the other things?" flock.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered until night should bring an explanation. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." me what he had done with the three missing stones. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no shaken than I had ever seen him. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "And now?" He raised his hand. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the remarked. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "The doctor?" miles off. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out without success. At last the little money which I had saved began every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the devil!" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban brought there to personate someone, and the real person is air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And how?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "What is it, then--a fire?" have got?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a carriage. It was a chestnut." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Certainly." green of the new foliage. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. figure." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to rooms." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had heavy and sharp instrument." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one help us in this matter." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me waste of energy." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' your Highness to the police-station?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no them?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds 1.E.9. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the driver. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, make me his representative both with the servants and with the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the