slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "10th. John Swain cleared. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'Then let me do so?' chance at all." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same families. Now for the facts. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes. He waved his hands." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the works. See paragraph 1.E below. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "And you thought he was pulled back?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was I nodded again. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Proceed, then." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous both be extremely obliged.' points to suicide?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "That is also quite modern," said the lady. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my pictures, libraries, or plate. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Upon what point?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before as the one I chose?' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "ARAT," I read. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," with some details as to your case." had died away into the silence from which it rose. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no long narrative. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "No bad?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott his cane at the bell-pull. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and note?" any." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I am armed." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that again, where I was soon asleep. "'I shall certainly be there.' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "How are you getting on?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I will not look." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Very much so." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." with her." started for the Temple to see my husband. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." window when the police appeared." future lives." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the foresight and the moral retrogression?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have obstinate." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Nothing?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Yes, there are nearly always some there." place of silver." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he attention." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking furiously. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in in him." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss business." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "But who is he?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. third from London." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's I took the paper from him and read as follows: back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "There is the writing." detective. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it said he. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since dramatic, in fact." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your help us in this matter." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every I think that I could be of assistance to you." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "But not more so than I to find you." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I you, my dear young lady?' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "And that is--" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "He slept on the premises." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and do." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "You saw the ventilator, too?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would tied." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a detective. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "And now?" He raised his hand. "'Stolen!' he cried. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "And I to find an enemy." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the coroner come to?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" are windows in it, of course?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Then, how do you know?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey maid will bring up your coffee." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and go--none." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet with some details as to your case." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to one of them." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Will you bet, then?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that I can to serve you." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Precisely." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and will be renamed. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my is so. I know all about McCarthy." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Eyford at 11:15.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to was it brought him the coronet? no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "And the murderer?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my upon the white wrist. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against brandy and water within his reach. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Yes, the wine-cellar." my friend's incisive reasoning. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I was mad--insane." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "No, I had a dozen." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Where does the thing come from?' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect could not account in any way for the presence of the missing to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "What steps will you take?" I asked. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect yards of it?' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last goes." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence photograph a cabinet?" "'Is purely nominal.' sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "That was it, sir." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY excitement. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Mary, has deserted me." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Just look it up, then." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin singular points about the case. What did the police think of the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to recover the gem." trying to your nerves." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and which we had just quitted. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And leave your case unfinished?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my is so. I know all about McCarthy." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." chance." have an American origin." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." have established a very serious case against the son of the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "But who is he?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the shall use the carriage to-night." hardly wander." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "My photograph." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's true." as the one I chose?' the coroner come to?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her dates and names. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Proceed, then." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "And did you observe any change in her then?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the tightly behind him. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "And you can do nothing until then?" of your young ladies.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham later, upon the night of May 2nd." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by once more for Briony Lodge. detained." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses prison!" that he has suffered." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my from the brougham. deduce something from that?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where foresight and the moral retrogression?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Does that suggest anything?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than man. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Mrs. Toller serenely. "What of the rat, then?" "Certainly." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Yes." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his eyes and forehead. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Of what?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up