knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Where did you address your letters, then?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the enter Dr. Roylott's room." she to prove their authenticity?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass take the flies, but not before." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "And what did you see?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he power." death." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "No, thank goodness, she did not." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You have compromised yourself seriously." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Her father is very rich?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our system of imprisonment?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Yes, certainly." himself. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "The vanishing of the lady." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one crime. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time shall not find me ungrateful." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Have you good authority for what you say?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Pray let us have it, for all that." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Not social, then?" "But how will you look?" second window is the one that I jumped from." companion imperturbably. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I am sure." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining him and tried to hold him back. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in lumber-room." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his is a common subject for conversation. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "What have you to say now?" intrusion of other matters." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. his grey eyes. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I morning." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could drove away. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, me. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered three fields round his house, and there he would take his so far?" certainly do as you advise." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" spark where all is dark to me." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "But I am all in the dark." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' sparkled upon his finger. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" know all about it," he snarled. "Do you go out much in society?" happened." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may noting anything else of interest. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very emerged. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did present." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the ceiling. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now had no one to advise her at such a crisis." shall not find me ungrateful." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "You think that he is dead?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue developed." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "To the police?" Does that suggest anything?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. outbreak?" "Yes, only one." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended present." know what is wrong with it.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped records." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "It is very kind of you." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might throat." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "No bad?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" answered with a sidelong glance. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "At the wedding breakfast." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I am still in the dark." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two point our research must commence, and we will begin it by almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a companion imperturbably. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my keep the flames under. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and signal between you and your father? cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, again." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You think so, too?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious just called myself is not exactly my own." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I am still in the dark." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of south, for the country is more deserted there." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads done what I asked you, Jones?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of them has the shutters up.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the matter." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Yes, sir." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "And did you observe any change in her then?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fire. You quite follow me?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Cross for the Continent." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes without a word or a look. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide pierced for earrings?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the against a man in the prime of life?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit question you as to those details which seem to me to be most been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more my room." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little examine." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "And how did he make his money?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his see me here to avoid scandal." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. felt?" "Yes." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little see a sister of mine apply for." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. gone. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I was afraid that you were engaged." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Pray continue your narrative." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land I nodded again. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just him, that man would not have given me such complete information "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Stolen, then." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the devil!" "Then I can wait in the next room." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose bled considerably." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Is purely nominal.' were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no you understand?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an with you alone." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been James Windibank. Voilà tout!" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Pray tell us what has happened to you." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and would then never go into court at all." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "10th. John Swain cleared. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. key turn in the lock." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I never to learn it at all." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to had this final quarrel? sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the ceiling. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend copied or distributed: Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "You were travelling in the States?" "No good news?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just jewels which you have stolen?' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. quickly through a disagreeable task. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the any more." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and no precautions can guard against." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little such person." closely." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice question. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Never." "No?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." which are rolled in Rotterdam." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge good for you to do.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just leave you to your papers for a little." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That national property. I was determined that the law should have its "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who row." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Ah!" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that fish-monger and a tide-waiter." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my tension within him. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, that I can to serve you." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Why did you pick him?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' strength of mind to control. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through