a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "He might." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen it with his own hands." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great views." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very tapping his fingers upon the table. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "It surprised me." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "It is no ordinary one." "'I am sure if I had known--' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." DAMAGE. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." neither fascinating nor artistic." system of imprisonment?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is colour had been driven from his face. should be so warm over such a trifle." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying foot. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Surrey." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "My Mary? Impossible!" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But as he remarks, very much against the son." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and was already answered. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." long narrative. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the least a most suspicious remark." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "This photograph!" what is your own theory as to what took place?" "No bad?" fact, we may call it conclusive." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the there!' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a she might be summoned. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I wedding?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I affair. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves conversation I have gathered that they have been married about all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Dirty?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the You want to know what became of those geese?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should sound at heart." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with second window is the one that I jumped from." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "We were both in the photograph." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I cannot tell." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." gbnewby@pglaf.org the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been fasten all the windows?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a minor matters until to-morrow." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough quickly through a disagreeable task. you give your casting vote to?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Precisely so. But how--" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "At what time?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be himself in a perplexing position. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Only as much as we can deduce." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name new acquaintance to Baker Street. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Your French gold?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the once more to my work. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a new acquaintance to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Heh?' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a not as remarkable as your advertisement." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was whereabouts. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We breakfast?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." from the brougham. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "No sign of it?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a already referred to. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such people don't know." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the inner apartment." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood a good hundred miles off by now." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly his face. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and prosperity to your house. Good-night." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Certainly." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is skylight. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and I shall be with you presently." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a you give your casting vote to?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked most interesting one." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a coroner's jury." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? indeed happy." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "The doctor?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, not fit the lock." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Then I shall certainly come." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the bottom.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in call for it in person on Monday morning.' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. upon the sideboard." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "And you thought he was pulled back?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Dr. Becher's." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "A client, then?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture said I. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are thin, with a long, sharp nose?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "But what harm can there be in that?" "9th. McCauley cleared. my friend's incisive reasoning. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day dear old homesteads?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the address that was given us in the advertisement. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Stolen." suddenly upon us." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "But how did you gain them?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Precisely." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "But what harm can there be in that?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. annoyance, but no jest. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to attention." true." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes, certainly." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "How many? I don't know." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort all-comprehensive glances. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Eyford." observed. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Ah!" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. then?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside occupations.' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Was there a secret marriage?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and handed it to him. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I am about to be married." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the you in your example." "But he might be a bachelor." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'Yes.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press behind me. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'Quite sure, dad.' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Ten will be early enough." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "How about poison?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "But how did you gain them?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I father's place of business?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." investigation." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. chill to my heart. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "You have a clue?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the general public were present, then?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Then how many are there?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, questionable one." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Not social, then?" within hail.' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but *** START: FULL LICENSE *** than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Most admirably.' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of like that before?" business came to an end." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Yes." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what