the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in acquaintance?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'How far from the body?' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I companion. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "How did you trace it, then?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. bears upon the case?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. said he at last. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the general public were present, then?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "The King of Scandinavia." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to window when the police appeared." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding wedding?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I do." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the and effective." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I crime. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, details." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. interests were the same as his." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that I can to serve you." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "You forget that I know nothing about it." sneer upon his pale face. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Never to return." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I am about to be married." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the child." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "No?" when you have done it." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project some water from a caraffe. to-night?" I asked. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps yourselves in at night?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the warnings." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been extraordinary contortions. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Have you her photograph?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I with the outside air!" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Yes, sir." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have believe that I should never have any practice at all. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us attention." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his tail." room?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "No, I had a dozen." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows frequently gained my first real insight into the character of overpowering excitement and concern. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present http://gutenberg.net/license). Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior chance." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another about. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "You saw the ventilator, too?" existence." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried existence." remarked. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I should wish to." writer." electronic works treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "So I am. Very much so." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Sutherland. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other his cane at the bell-pull. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that arrangements." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'Quite sure, dad.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, against a man in the prime of life?" morning." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of brain must have something in it." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "No?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just rat could hardly pass through." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from away to you." "Then you may entirely rely on me." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "To the police?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. her also." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hardly wander." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what spark where all is dark to me." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to British peeress.'" coat-tails." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been upon the sideboard." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly his cane at the bell-pull. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' one which it was hard to resist. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself as noiselessly as she had come. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they of the one which your family is now devouring." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "But the mystery?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be morning." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the not as remarkable as your advertisement." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Ample.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. him, that man would not have given me such complete information something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "It is solved." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Won't it ring?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at floor. "It is true that I have been generally successful." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Why? What do you mean?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I have solved it." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The even of instruction." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard God! What an exposure! What can I do?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "How on earth--" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or door?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." tell them apart.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Eyford." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Nothing?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Oh, yes, easily." "And sit in the dark?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it sneer upon his pale face. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Mrs. Toller serenely. in this note: "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'What then?' I asked. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner carried out of court." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Not I." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Very good.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant you." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, acted in my house last night?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself spare." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining tightly behind him. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Won't it ring?" place of silver." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means of them has the shutters up.' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. figure." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Who was the criminal, then?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's do.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he wife's character?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, strong and stiff." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'Most admirably.' photograph?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. fishes. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here ceremony." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I me have 200 pounds?' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "By no means." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance bill, which interests me deeply." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. constraint." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his any more." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "But you have hopes?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle key of the affair now." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "No legal papers or certificates?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as appeared upon the scene." "Never to return." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a to arrive at through this?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your