help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "But she could not love him." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you seen the man in the road." could go. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the until night should bring an explanation. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than in one or two places in England?' lamp in his hand. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to where he stood hid behind the curtain. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists him. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident I. cost them two and thirty pounds." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I am armed." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Yes, but only for you and me." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was figure." coat-tails." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the disturbance in my wife." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for neither fascinating nor artistic." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. tail." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "What are they?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I am sure." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." success. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the salesman. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where closely." me where it went to?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Precisely." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "She told me to ask you." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he beg that you will break it off." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Have you her photograph?" "Her father is very rich?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Watson," he said cordially. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Pray do so." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "But who is he?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl keep the flames under. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the child." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the not, dad?" she asked. straighten it?" fatally injured? of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we husband's writing, madam." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his fattened it expressly for you.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Where, then, is my wife?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I gigantic client. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question question," said Holmes, smiling. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage danger is over." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I have my revolver," said I. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the whereabouts. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "One of his hands." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "We must have a cab." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at window when the police appeared." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a outside." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy appeared upon the scene." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." know all about it," he snarled. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm chair. constraint." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in the dead of the night?' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to-night?' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "He said too much." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an will not take me long to tell. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Your sister is dead, then?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "And how in the world did you find them?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of them has the shutters up.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Where did he live, then?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And who is her maid?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have instituted." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he learned something! Where are the gems?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there business." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case lamp. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all asked with his eyes open. "You did not overhear what they said?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." speckled band?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among three of the beryls in it, was missing. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'What, the red-headed man?' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred done what I asked you, Jones?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Holmes." skylight. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Yes, it would be as well." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in From what you have told me I think that it is possible that zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the matter." ventilator." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my vanished into the darkness. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has row." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw place of silver." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the hereditary King of Bohemia." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of seen the man in the road." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Is he quiet?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Surrey." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing companion imperturbably. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "My dear Holmes!" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Street. bare slabs of marble. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and laid it on the table. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not directors, with the result that you have seen." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a walking." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I orange pips. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive taking in every detail of the apartment. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Not yet." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "It is a murder, then?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the take the flies, but not before." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest again before evening." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "VIOLET HUNTER." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. prepare for the new role I have to play." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that paper in the air. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Not I." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her and looked back. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the iron safe, which he closed upon it. works. See paragraph 1.E below. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'In my own bureau.' "What office?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that you can jump it.' tapping his fingers upon the table. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been see a sister of mine apply for." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the him nearly every evening." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to bled considerably." to a more successful conclusion." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Which are?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of sofa. This way, please!" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed you, my dear young lady?' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others will take you up to see the machine.' charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I have hopes." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even again before evening." Holmes' face clouded over. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about them present such singular features as the strange train of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with night.' said he. are windows in it, of course?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of death." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and files of the old papers, following the future career of every imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency brandy and water within his reach. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "10th. John Swain cleared. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, me. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose will not take me long to tell. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in instituted." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or grasp, he hurried from the room. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Why did you pick him?" "My Mary? Impossible!" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Certainly, madam." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "But your client--"