smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY shag which I had seen upon the previous night. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old interest. They are important, you understand, without being his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "You think so, too?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" examine." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Tell me all about it,' said I. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "He disappeared so suddenly." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "In what way?" asked Holmes. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "What can you not understand?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "You were travelling in the States?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET better grown goose." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the conceal it?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and one of them." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he a monotonous occupation." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed papers." said he. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and strong reason behind." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it page at http://pglaf.org crime. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held hardly wander." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "But you were on a friendly footing?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the think, you have already met." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Quite so." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Well, but China?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "But his left-handedness." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. derbies." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had amused." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "And sit in the dark?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may green of the new foliage. have had none more fantastic than this." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy one which it was hard to resist. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay cigars in their mouths. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Whose house is it?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, said Mr. Holder. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Here?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "But of what society?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, better in every way that they should make their position a little it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and interests were the same as his." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and minor matters until to-morrow." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read writing, and yet I know it well." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I will do it." the inquest, and which are worth considering." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not tell them apart.' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Have you her photograph?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Witness: Nothing definite. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be look upon these things in a different way." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. him, that man would not have given me such complete information slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "My private note-paper." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only six. Come in!" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Ah!" a monotonous occupation." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat taking in every detail of the apartment. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are digesting their breakfasts at home." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Street. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them writer." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "And how did you verify them?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is hand, madam?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his main points of my analysis." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" like gravel from a pit.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry questioning and rather startled gaze. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes to you." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy papers." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Young McCarthy must be got off, however." once more. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, horse could go." "But what harm can there be in that?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to directors, with the result that you have seen." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There becomes even more simple." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Oh, yes, easily." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I cannot think." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and over with notes and figures. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to a light-house. me where it went to?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a criminal. We have already had experience of such." Edgeware Road. said he. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was in the port of London." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Married! When?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the shoulder; "he's all right." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "And on what day did he meet his death?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'About the same.' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "What then?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our she used." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle I approached. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' round and wave him away like that.' deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here invisible to me," I remarked. held up the lantern and gazed about him. followed. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a you in your example." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which house for five minutes.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet good-night and bustled off upon her way. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth someone who had been in Australia." just called myself is not exactly my own." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Really! You surprise me." "Precisely." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper hereditary King of Bohemia." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled desk. not, dad?" she asked. would then never go into court at all." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Is he quiet?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'What, the red-headed man?' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he overpowering excitement and concern. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He he bowed and left the room without another word. your only hope of safety." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" breakfast." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Is he quiet?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Sutherland. his forehead." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I have seen the police." "A confidential servant?" signal between you and your father? his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." will be renamed. room?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Pray do so." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, morning." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the running down." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any brought there to personate someone, and the real person is pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. through." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their You want to know what became of those geese?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of all?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's me what he had done with the three missing stones. nice household for a young lady." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I would give my fortune to have them back." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "How can you tell that?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest digesting their breakfasts at home." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you call the police, let the police find what they can.' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "To an end?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the entirely devoid of interest." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I matter." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey acquaintance?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "My dear Holmes!" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "What! a murderous attack?" she to prove their authenticity?"