despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and have this put in the evening papers." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "What! You do not mean bodies?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads o'clock is it?" "Yes." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a good for you to do.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' his cane at the bell-pull. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Seven!" I answered. directors, with the result that you have seen." of his shoulders. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "By all means." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That out of this horrible affair." least a most suspicious remark." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "What of the rat, then?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "On your arm?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of soul! here is her carriage at the door." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "You will not go there first?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she standing smiling on the door-step. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "On Monday." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "You saw the ventilator, too?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was place no limit on the sum I may draw." where she found matters as described by the last witness. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "This photograph!" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We clanging. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect thought that she would have been so carried away." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go peculiar to him. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I beyond words. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I is a common subject for conversation. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried that I may have something better before very many minutes are ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small is entirely a question of barometric pressure." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon recall any case within my experience which looked at the first instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "You heard nothing yourself last night?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, eavesdroppers?' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." weapon." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Nothing." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Thank you. Pray proceed." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the upon the shelf for the interim." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It you do it in twenty minutes!' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive tell me that you intended to go into harness." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "The Cedars?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased man. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "You have compromised yourself seriously." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I cannot say that I have." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the legal crime." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And how did you verify them?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he so.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Did you observe the colour?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "It is no ordinary one." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "He might." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Henry Baker is a member." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Indeed! Whose, then?" are, I think, all that we need." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us cup of tea. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "And what then?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the clanging. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "It was." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view with some details as to your case." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest is a common subject for conversation. pictures, libraries, or plate. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to infinite languor in his face. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the that you can jump it.' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" memory. residence of the great financier. for and were ordered to this address. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." dates and names. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Did he not advertise?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon ordinary clothes on?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the fattened it expressly for you.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It goes to the housekeeper's room." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug business." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had way: "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Yes. He waved his hands." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your pity, because in other respects you would really have done very general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "In answer to an advertisement." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "BALLARAT." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided unkempt, staring out at me. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the here and I will read it to you: This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "That is not always so easy." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to in his hands." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Of what?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation society." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to own family. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. you, my dear young lady?' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Certainly." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "A client, then?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "How did you deduce the select?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Yes." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this at once, for I have only half an hour." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point present." "You have carte blanche." "'Is purely nominal.' "He said too much." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we hour?' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "What can you not understand?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but what these perils are?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Heh?' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, my friend's incisive reasoning. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had looking up at the numbers of the houses." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Sutherland. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "But your client--" lumber-room." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with which our visitor detailed to us. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "What will you do, then?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those asked with his eyes open. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself that you saw all that I did." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the before the coroner and the police-court." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Why, what do you mean?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face bearing upon the case." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he me what he had done with the three missing stones. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from train from Paddington which would bring you there at about time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique if I call to-morrow?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few States. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the ceiling. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Awake, Watson?" he asked. father's young wife. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same undoubtedly my uncle's." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from details should find their way into the papers. Inspector go from here to the Strand." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all chance." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Then, how do you know?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "The murder was done with it." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire said I. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from assist you in forming an opinion." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. certainly do as you advise." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a is acting for the best. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black province." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'Why that?' I asks. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I held the little printed slip to the light. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion salesman. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all not interfere, come what may. You understand?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say to you." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to