threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "But you can know nothing of this?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "One of the highest in England." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Oh, yes, easily." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "My dear Holmes!" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Foundation "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, maiden herself was most instructive." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I never have." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Pool. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "But what will you do?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, suspect him." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far on re-entering her father's house?" have I gained?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Pope's Court. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "You are all wrong." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Pool. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'Entirely.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "None. Neville wrote those words." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is question," said Holmes, smiling. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the iron safe, which he closed upon it. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who has little to do with my story." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the house with me." should be so warm over such a trifle." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his pound a week." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It is possible." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." humiliation." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." if she died from some sudden fright." the salesman. the inquest, and which are worth considering." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "But we can't all be." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Then how many are there?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "A greater distance to travel." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable bachelor.' "Then he might have called to you?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she but preventing her from injuring another. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to written. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery you?' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as his knees, staring into the fire. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the lamp in his hand. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "It was an hour's good drive." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he more solid." charge against him will break down." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." murdered man." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "ARAT," I read. business." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, from you?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "How often?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "You think so, too?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed as yours." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit think, you have already met." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some round and wave him away like that.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the there was no need for father to know." him!" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Well, but China?" there has been an enclosure here!" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must be there in time for your coming." "I cannot imagine." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull detective. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Married! When?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "It is no ordinary one." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 1.E.9. extraordinary contortions. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Surrey." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long orange pips. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out see a sister of mine apply for." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Texas, I think." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "That is it on the dressing-table." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might tied." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Surrey." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Why did you beat the pavement?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "No." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out advice." voice, changing her seat as requested. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was floor. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any written. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will was lame." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads key turn in the lock." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an prison!" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "None. Neville wrote those words." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing goes." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been about. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the nursery. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There himself in a perplexing position. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "What have you to say now?" crime." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for mystery!" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And on what day did he meet his death?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Yes, sir.' "The Cedars?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by within hail.' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Awake, Watson?" he asked. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it obstinate." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The in this note: danger is over." than to us. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them with you?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Nothing?" corner of the building. carpenter." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle some place of shelter and let the county police know what has promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When cup of tea. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." little adventures." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his useful material for showing traces. The double line a little little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Have you good authority for what you say?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "The doctor?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident spark where all is dark to me." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "By no means." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Yes. He waved his hands." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Very much so." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'There is a drive, then?' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Oh, no.' "So it appears." vanished into the darkness. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley not fit the lock." "I should wish to." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, wife's character?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "So I am. Very much so." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The call it cruel." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad you in yours." heavy and sharp instrument." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the matter?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a developed." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. about here speaks of his kindness to him." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "We have tried and failed." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness before, for it was considerably after midnight. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when jewels which you have stolen?' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House conceal it?" became a certainty. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in were wasted." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the coronet in his hand?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Holmes, the busybody!" upon a handsome competence. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Why? What do you mean?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I cannot say that I have." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the knowledge of the world." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to This is what he says: "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after said I. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Was he the only applicant?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, stood on the top of it. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power to-night's adventure." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. three of the beryls in it, was missing. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and prosperity to your house. Good-night." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." know that the truth is known." "'I have heard so.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Your sister is dead, then?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his ceremony." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I would give my fortune to have them back." "You are all wrong." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "My photograph." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And Irene Adler?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "And who is her maid?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "An accident, I presume?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent go from here to the Strand." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Farm upon the left." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Yes, he did." back into the street. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low