"That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a legal crime." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. populous neighbourhood." back into the street. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what be there in time for your coming." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my always that they were such commands as a lady might with agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is pressing in one house as in another. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. do.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of amused." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are him, that man would not have given me such complete information important." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "What then?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "He is dead," cried several voices. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Chief Executive and Director "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a bonnet, and went out." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "In the cells." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the enter into my head. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I three of the beryls in it, was missing. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. go from here to the Strand." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she new acquaintance to Baker Street. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones cup of tea. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told questionable one." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, morning." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention instincts rose up against that laugh. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, whole matter to your consideration." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "The rest you will leave in our hands." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the on in his house." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are already referred to. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were legal crime." and looked back. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? forehead. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works once more for Briony Lodge. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking was used.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "And Irene Adler?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, light and attacked it." "Game for a morning drive?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands that?' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern them present such singular features as the strange train of "What will you say?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Yes." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the so-precious time, but come!' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes, he did." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting that before taking the final step I should like to submit the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil key turn in the lock." lamp in his hand. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "And when will you call?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and a shock of very red hair. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Dr. Becher's." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which with some details as to your case." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend could not account in any way for the presence of the missing overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Upon what point?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Where to?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'Certainly not. But why?' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and it need not interfere very much with one's other return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two laugh and put his lips to my ear. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Holmes' room. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but charged with?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after at once, for I have only half an hour." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "But he might be a bachelor." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to important." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the tragedy. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. people in all walks of life. companion quietly. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey troubles have been weighing upon his mind. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the late." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "But you were on a friendly footing?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a she to prove their authenticity?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant towards the blaze. "Won't it ring?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went nothing of it?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was despair." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every at home. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and four million human beings all jostling each other within the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." as he remarks, very much against the son." strong and stiff." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" gone before you can get him to hospital." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. fattened it expressly for you.' "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should fish-monger and a tide-waiter." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat little trying to do so much typewriting?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the ceiling. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and glanced through. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "So I am. Very much so." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT gentleman's clothes. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the knowledge of the world." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already whereabouts. have established a very serious case against the son of the "Dr. Becher's." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your pictures, libraries, or plate. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on washing it down with a long draught of water. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email following enigmatical notices: use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Certainly." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a him!" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Stolen." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "About a month then." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they II. to tell." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. disturbance in my wife." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "None." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without peculiar to him. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his it." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the bearing upon the case." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my allusion to a rat. about here speaks of his kindness to him." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss over with notes and figures. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was whether it answered to the description of any of their "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very held up the lantern and gazed about him. chance." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Yes, that is the Crown." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and placed his cuttings. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'As governess?' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Dark enough and sinister enough." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her three of the beryls in it, was missing. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up him. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have very peculiar words of the dying woman?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the room?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Game for a morning drive?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I am to be neutral?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one 1.F. exactly what you advise." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a page at http://pglaf.org "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." distinguish the words: where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Upon what point?" eat it." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Have you her photograph?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "But your client--" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Only as much as we can deduce." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any other, as fresh and trim as possible. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'I have heard so.' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, attention." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I shall continue with my miserable story. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "And you thought he was pulled back?" voice, changing her seat as requested. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small The events in question occurred in the early days of my "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the about. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, child?' "'Certainly not. But why?' should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I was sure that I might rely on you." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. key of the affair now." bled considerably." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which