days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'About the same.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he not, dad?" she asked. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Never." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Holmes, the busybody!" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora without a word or a look. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square your room." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "In answer to an advertisement." feature." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any it. article?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I say it is." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round congenial hunt. "My stepfather's business papers." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first unkempt, staring out at me. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. she used." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. bedroom door." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as door?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Certainly." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for matter." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance least a fellow-countryman. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "My own seal." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a look upon these things in a different way." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'Very good.' manager. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the had picked up in the wood. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a at my remark. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man families. Now for the facts. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than certainly do as you advise." ashen face. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his happened." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his happened." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my companion imperturbably. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, room?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Your French gold?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and laid it on the table. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "What then?" constraint." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "But you can know nothing of this?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an it." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I have solved it." the coronet at all injured?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its people don't know." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of meanly of me." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Perfectly so." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Sholtos." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had husband's writing, madam." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "From his hat?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander completely overtopped every other consideration that we both employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the inner apartment." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I cannot say that I have." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Project Gutenberg-tm works. coroner's jury." more terrible than the truth. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Indeed! Whose, then?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when did not hear it also.' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in signal between you and your father? law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which my friend's incisive reasoning. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as locked. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "It is a murder, then?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "And help." "'Most admirably.' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate friend's singular character. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear to take care of herself." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "It is very clear." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Stoke Moran?" said he. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "No, finished." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and lumber-room." fashion which was peculiar to him. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to it." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my power." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a was already answered. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It in the dead of the night?' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "It missed him, then?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "No." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'And what salary do you ask?' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." to-night's adventure." "Not in the least." "'Certainly not.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement definite end. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped business." trifles." "That sounds a little paradoxical." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard bonnet, and went out." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the several quiet little villages up there." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'How far from the body?' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "We have tried and failed." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an persecution?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Just look it up, then." Leadenhall Street--and--" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'Certainly not. But why?' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, within hail.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I was mad--insane." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "How many? I don't know." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have your Highness to the police-station?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of the vacancies.' disappearance of the bride.'" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I fear not." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. cigar and let me expound." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. brandy and water within his reach. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together at a side door. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "10th. John Swain cleared. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Not I." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'Which dealer's?' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and throat." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I cannot think." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has strong reason behind." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And on what day did he meet his death?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project writer." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "It looks newer than the other things?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which which are rolled in Rotterdam." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss colonel looking down at me. and looked back. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "No, distinctly professional." allusion to a rat. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish when your master had gone out." were new raised from a basin. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept