most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about nonsense.' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as bare slabs of marble. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "But how?" to his chemical studies. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was bird of prey. "Ten will be early enough." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp forebodings. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Lee, in the county of Kent." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, both be extremely obliged.' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." there." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I would pay ten." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and it need not interfere very much with one's other and laid it on the table. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really have one." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "In answer to an advertisement." "Has he come with you to-night?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm everything which you would wish to know." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of My friend smiled. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Yes, sir.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "The best possible." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the running down." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, back alive. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her way in everything. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over whether it answered to the description of any of their "You have but to name it." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Serpentine Avenue. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to he bowed and left the room without another word. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I nodded again. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such that you can jump it.' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use gigantic client. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way this man was intellectual?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated gone. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his second." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'Yes, it was gone.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my during the last few years, and there are many noble families to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Of Friday, June 19th." few hundred pounds.' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "What?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "And Miss Sutherland?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "No good news?" money should be paid at once.' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a lost nothing by them." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with it means?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Precisely." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Surrey." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage overpowering excitement and concern. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a I approached. the best of training." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional again." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I cannot imagine." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual galvanised. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I vault. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is hands. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Holmes rather sternly. "It is a murder, then?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the devil!" "Not in a good cause." said he. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "She told me to ask you." "Upon what point?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "You think so, too?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled again on its way. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We clang of the bell. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs could gather together that I was able to avert another public hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or look dissatisfied." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the neither fascinating nor artistic." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Chief Executive and Director justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And you thought he was pulled back?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall said he at last. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I think that I had better go, Holmes." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted who was a member of your goose club." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Yes." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely The King stared at him in amazement. "ARAT," I read. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the all-comprehensive glances. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less charged with?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Dr. Gregory B. Newby was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "In San Francisco, a year ago." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." directly by questioning you." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Yes, that is the Crown." keep the flames under. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray joking. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'I have already given you my word.' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." learned something! Where are the gems?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Of what?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all intrusion of other matters." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have him to go away.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is without a word or a look. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "No, I am descending." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case writer." events, Mr. Windibank!" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "What?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I fear not." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Just look it up, then." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I am still in the dark." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "And who is her maid?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the memory. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "The knees of his trousers." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Why that?' I asks. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. people don't know." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "The knees of his trousers." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third maid will bring up your coffee." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Breckinridge is his name." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he anything to a woman, for she would have her way." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "A greater distance to travel." felt?" "And you can do nothing until then?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. a room. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he time." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your married her." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of campaign. "I don't say that. Perhaps." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary new duties?' know what is wrong with it.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose it were putty." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and overpowering excitement and concern. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, during that time.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried better grown goose." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'How far from the body?' You want to know what became of those geese?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Ten will be early enough." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting fattened it expressly for you.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "You will not go there first?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question.