"He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an formed some opinion?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." bell. Holmes whistled. the south-west, I see." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "You did not overhear what they said?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will already referred to. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two salesman. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "May I see it?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Miss Holder?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with his forehead." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed But Holmes shook his head gravely. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'Where to?' signal between you and your father? this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that you can jump it.' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, electronic works its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And why in hopes?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed this remarkable episode. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have got?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "The Cedars?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we your own bird, so if you wish--" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some of the way of danger. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "It is possible." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it my friend's incisive reasoning. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know villagers almost as much as their master. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own business?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have clang of the bell. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he The King stared at him in amazement. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge there when the Rucastles went away." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "But of what society?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun your equipment. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have remarked. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed is a common subject for conversation. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a yet." strong reason behind." "You think that he is dead?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "No?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful fattened it expressly for you.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; unkempt, staring out at me. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It is no ordinary one." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the that he will be back before evening." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Frequently." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss she used." details." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year I was concerned in it." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "A confidential servant?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "What then?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as back into the street. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "It surprised me." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no His smile broadened. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the just ask you whether you had heard it.' eavesdroppers?' these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Pool. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "It missed him, then?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Absolutely none." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Farm upon the left." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was fasten all the windows?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was wanted for ourselves." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a lost nothing by them." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "What, then?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until some terrible trap for her." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I will try. What is it?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had lamp in his hand. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon was keenly on my guard against him. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose already been minutely examined." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and careless servant girl?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I affair. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he tied." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and effective." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'It is locked up,' I answered. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable lumber-room." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul me upon any point which I do not make clear." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." it. "How do you know, then?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the over part of the map. "What do you read?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "What then?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains is four-and-twenty." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left it? Did I buy the geese off you?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "You know me, then?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of skylight. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "And that is--" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the me. You must get home instantly and act." "Your French gold?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar formed some opinion?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British likely to be some crony of the landlady's." served to weaken the effect. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. hour?' "But his left-handedness." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my delighted to hear it," he said. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to do.' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "And how?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. she used." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "How on earth--" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is make me his representative both with the servants and with the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands The police have openly confessed that they can at present make in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'What do you call purely nominal?' away into the river." think that he is innocent?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Nothing?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY residence of the great financier. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the been with you?" "'Is purely nominal.' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Very murderous indeed." "Entirely." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is evidence," I remarked. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An both be extremely obliged.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "No?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose there when the Rucastles went away." might have a private word with us. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. words came to my lips. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "What office?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'Oh, no.' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is his face. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If take the flies, but not before." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the coronet in his hand?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "On your arm?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing without success. At last the little money which I had saved began finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. a monotonous occupation." "Where to?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Well?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and capable of preserving a secret.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There woven round him. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "But the mystery?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. straightened it out again. enter Dr. Roylott's room." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" lamp in his hand. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a really the only notable feature about the thing." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "He is still with you, I presume?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with inquired your way merely in order that you might see him."