be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs over with notes and figures. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the loss of it. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that fait accompli?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the loss of it. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but true." ordinary clothes on?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to when you have done it." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "In answer to an advertisement." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future likely to be some crony of the landlady's." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." over here." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about villagers almost as much as their master. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and I shall be with you presently." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one something of him before." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said floor. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his attention." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to advice." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now forecastle of an emigrant ship. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "So I have heard." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Just look it up, then." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Not in the least." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "My photograph." head. So long, then!" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian it were putty." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your cigars in the box." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to you." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "And your mother is alive?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The himself in a perplexing position. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they your sleep?' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Who was the criminal, then?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As placed his cuttings. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." an introduction to him?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Your presence might be invaluable." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to-morrow." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our be. might have a private word with us. fluttered off among the others. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much least a fellow-countryman. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It is half-past ten now." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to one which it was hard to resist. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My stammered. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "How do you know, then?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being as he remarks, very much against the son." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "No legal papers or certificates?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite tightly behind him. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a individual and becomes the badge of a society." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been is acting for the best. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was hurried by. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "And your mother is alive?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Perfectly so." and I shall be with you presently." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, paper in the air. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Entirely." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and call you and give you the chance." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I should be immensely obliged to you." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" at once, for I have only half an hour." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this events, Mr. Windibank!" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this you give your casting vote to?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to sound at heart." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy gone before you can get him to hospital." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that anything to do with the matter?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "The Coroner: What do you mean? clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the coronet in his hands?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his States. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted about here speaks of his kindness to him." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any had picked up in the wood. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you existence." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I will get her to show me." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Do you go out much in society?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his about. the stable lane now." the general public were present, then?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the to a more successful conclusion." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'And the work?' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again as he folded up the epistle. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the stones. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That intrusion of other matters." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Then I shall certainly come." remarked. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'Is 4 pounds a week.' some terrible trap for her." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously new acquaintance to Baker Street. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased behind me. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in there was no need for father to know." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "What have you to say now?" lost nothing by them." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell since then to throw any light upon what became of him." she to prove their authenticity?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned it." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "It is a murder, then?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in you." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old did not hear it also.' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's pictures, libraries, or plate. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "But how will you look?" joking. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white are, and they are waiting for us." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the directly by questioning you." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about leaning back in his chair. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "And Miss Sutherland?" certainly not very gracious." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. he. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have one." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "His face fell immediately. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made to miss it." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "It is his hat." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "You are all wrong." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Deserted you?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the driver. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as foresight and the moral retrogression?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "The murder was done with it." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "It missed him, then?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps where she found matters as described by the last witness. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Then I can wait in the next room." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook when your master had gone out." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," would then never go into court at all." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to looking up at the numbers of the houses." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Holmes, the busybody!" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I am still in the dark." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "But he might be a bachelor." the morning and make my own way in the world.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered forehead. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me go from here to the Strand." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Why, it's a dummy," said he. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their weigh very heavily upon my conscience." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I despair." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they could not have written that. It is the German who is so seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had handed it to him. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Did you become engaged then?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Mary, has deserted me." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as to change my dress. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do