of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the where she found matters as described by the last witness. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years your most interesting statement." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you infinite languor in his face. clanging. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, digesting their breakfasts at home." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down The telegram which we eventually received came late one night eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "And what did you see?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "There are none." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, there!' guilty parties." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are some city in a dream. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Witness: I must still refuse. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever do you make of it all?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such criminal. We have already had experience of such." unclasping of his long thin hands. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped remarked. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but derbies." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' God! What an exposure! What can I do?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised at my own good fortune. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler business?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I think that I had better go, Holmes." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "And how did you verify them?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. hair?' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of hopeless attempt at recovering them." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And tassel actually lying upon the pillow. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "What then?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "No, thank goodness, she did not." it." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "How often?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the happened." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to have that photograph." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences is worth.' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "It's nothing of the kind." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "In the cells." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I don't say that. Perhaps." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, very old mansion. "Is he quiet?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Holmes' face clouded over. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I am in hopes that she does." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "There are none." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first away in different directions, and I went off to make my own said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It looks newer than the other things?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The nothing of it?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. hurried by. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. before, for it was considerably after midnight. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the cigars in the box." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress unclasping of his long thin hands. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have opportunities to fix the problem. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The her also." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting in the port of London." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a comes from the middle window." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone telegram would bring me down to your help." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I round with crates and massive boxes. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the acquaintance?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, he. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers late!' "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of them has the shutters up.' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm to talk it over. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the date of his supposed suicide." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY mysterious business." Count Von Kramm." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the a room. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had chance." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached photograph?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by once more. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And who is her maid?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, distinguish the words: "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I cannot imagine." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Look there!" said he. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such fasten all the windows?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "To ruin me." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I never have." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, unclasping of his long thin hands. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from disappearance of the bride.'" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull speckled band?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, know that the truth is known." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony upon a handsome competence. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "It must be recovered." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Thank you. And your address?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in had picked up in the wood. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that over part of the map. "What do you read?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Ha! you find it so?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and humiliation." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is hair?' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" had a long day." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "What then?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Very. But will he see it?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' were wasted." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not not, dad?" she asked. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical made his money." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from of his shoulders. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting call you and give you the chance." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he side. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment DAMAGE. me." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "A greater distance to travel." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can out." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend been able to understand it, in a very few words. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Then you may be so with me." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I character. "No, I think that I'll take it." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Entirely." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his kind enough to tell me what I should do." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as flock.' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he believe that I should never have any practice at all. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "What! a murderous attack?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Yes." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." married her." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "None." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. became a certainty. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "And leave your case unfinished?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet answered with a sidelong glance. congratulate you again." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "She will not sell." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon friends, not even his own brother. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid train from Paddington which would bring you there at about just called myself is not exactly my own." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. forbidden door. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Could he throw no light?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass least a fellow-countryman. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the armchair which I pushed forward for him. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a made his money." garden below. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the tragedy. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I written. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I beg pardon."