Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to affect your life." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave said he. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite meant it for the best. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were you." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than business came to an end." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there one or two very singular points about this room. For example, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and inquire as to the address." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down very morning of my second wedding." might help us?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. murdered man." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came woman." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of it." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo occupations.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I am following you closely," I answered. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "None." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "One of the highest in England." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and that he would see to anything that turned up. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I cannot say that I have." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he behind me. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a signal between you and your father? been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "No." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me matters immensely." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point too. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I cannot say that I have." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, will he say when he returns?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" his face. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at never will be, entirely cleared up. "She will not sell." such person." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Yes, only one." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my awaited us upon the table. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling clang of the bell. I leave." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY charge against him will break down." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and works. See paragraph 1.E below. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall test if we have an answer to our advertisement." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "What can you not understand?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to again before evening." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was and I shall be with you presently." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the bachelor.' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there carriage. It was a chestnut." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing has little to do with my story." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I purpose of examination. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the King without delay." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Yes." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little locked. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Yesterday." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Can I be of assistance?" brandy and water within his reach. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were into the room. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "But we can't all be." "How on earth--" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could respectable self." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Dr. Becher's." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door I approached. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Your presence might be invaluable." Where does the thing come from?' walking." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in a friendly supper." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." throat." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Frequently." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "My last client of the sort was a king." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "What of the rat, then?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Which are?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Pool. "What then?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the inner apartment." "Come in!" said Holmes. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding any little problem which you may submit to me." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." lamp. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross strong and stiff." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I am armed." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. to-night." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Well." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and have this put in the evening papers." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "But how will you look?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' your sleep?' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "No." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I am armed." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy bedroom door." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he said Mr. Holder. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from character. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "That's no good." yet." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. highly," said Holmes. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at you do it in twenty minutes!' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and the church but not where the lady lived." see me here to avoid scandal." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that the gas is not laid on in his house?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." this as likely?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her call you and give you the chance." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the out of this horrible affair." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that people don't know." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I where Mr. Fordham shows you.' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew was it brought him the coronet? purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hardly wander." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "And your father? Did you tell him?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." open." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "How did that help you?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It is his hat." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this them?" hurried by. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and no precautions can guard against." "None." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the driver. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You think so, too?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But have accepted such a situation. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face will he say when he returns?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are pressing in one house as in another. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving meant it for the best. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just were unconscious?" "'Where could I find him?' as noiselessly as she had come. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were John Swain, of St. Augustine. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "It is possible." "Yes, sir." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all society." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the Assizes." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. in his hands." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly vanished into the darkness. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two him nearly every evening." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could in his hands." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." arrested. You then--" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "What are they?" of Mr. Rucastle's." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was