the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. hopeless attempt at recovering them." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Certainly." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran throat." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the already referred to. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The pierced for earrings?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Not I." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your opportunities to fix the problem. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and looked back. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too careless servant girl?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are this man was intellectual?" outside." "'Never.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the house with me." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'I have heard so.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. of the way of danger. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that door?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent second window is the one that I jumped from." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "No. What a strange idea!" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had indeed which he could not unravel. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few for the market.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Not particularly." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. of it with the greatest attention. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we you, my dear young lady?' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. carpenter." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation I was concerned in it." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit fasten all the windows?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Where is it, then?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I bird I ate is country bred." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause to some other building. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon points to suicide?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the coat-tails." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, morning." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. be there in time for your coming." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on individual and becomes the badge of a society." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a you." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up that you can jump it.' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. written. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that his grey eyes. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "You don't mind breaking the law?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really question. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I happened." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." vanished into the darkness. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who relief. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "None." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain works. See paragraph 1.E below. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Nothing?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he again before evening." tell them apart.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but window when the police appeared." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Perhaps we may make them less so." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the into the room. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a himself to hunt down. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit whatever might befall. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. gone. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Have you her photograph?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and effective." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of power." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." know what is wrong with it.' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my that, and I came down." get the tickets." "'Certainly not.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She you." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak prison!" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "You horrify me!" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. miles off. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not affection." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I cannot say that I have." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My in darkness. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads vault. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was arrested. You then--" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a purpose equally well?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his interested in these little problems, and since you are good do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from despaired of." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to but preventing her from injuring another. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it question. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do into the bag, and made for the door. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Why serious?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced a few minutes he said that it would be all right. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's skylight. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'I have heard so.' "No." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without simple cases which are so extremely difficult." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which simple cases which are so extremely difficult." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "No, I had a dozen." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by prisoner's face. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper have established a very serious case against the son of the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It hour." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter interests were the same as his." "She showed me, as I told you she would." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the disturbance in my wife." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "My private note-paper." that you can jump it.' "Ten will be early enough." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and we went to search for him, face downward in a little common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I be.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position a very grave face. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George simple cases which are so extremely difficult." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should father's place of business?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Where could I find him?' Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, his face which made him a very different person to the round, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Not social, then?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning here and I will read it to you: The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'As governess?' a very grave face. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon already referred to. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a know that the truth is known." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most advice." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he IS fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist questionable one." "I shall be delighted." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." carried out of court." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the so-precious time, but come!' "I will get her to show me." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood which was all perfectly true. "And I." even of instruction."