her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and fatally injured? suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us most important business. It is probable that he will be away all have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman into the room. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "No." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no child?' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her lost nothing by them." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, any more." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Yes." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "And your mother is alive?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "The doctor?" fatally injured? years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see The summons was a brief and urgent one. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out absorbing." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. humiliation." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." writers could invent nothing more crude." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "But how?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Did you observe the colour?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Chief Executive and Director see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a photograph?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the take the flies, but not before." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. was it brought him the coronet? light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Quite so. She has her freedom." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "How did you deduce the select?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. crowd. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and my secret was safe in his possession. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower who was a member of your goose club." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw fishes. noble correspondent could be. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "To ruin me." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. floor. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Not yet." might help us?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "And I." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets he bowed and left the room without another word. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Then I can wait in the next room." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the strong and stiff." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I nonsense.' as yours." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "You forget that I know nothing about it." weary and pale-looking. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "She will not sell." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "It looks newer than the other things?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that business in the City. She little knew what. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been was a lad." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall a room. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Well." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "To ruin me." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight pierced for earrings?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must then?" that he has suffered." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "No, I had a dozen." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I cannot say that I have." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Have you good authority for what you say?" woven round him. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of orange pips. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up outside. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Does that suggest anything?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss front of the hall door has given its name to the place. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the him nearly every evening." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I cannot think." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off mysterious business." evidence," I remarked. "Yes, it was twisted." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "But your client--" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few This is what he says: compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in the port of London." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so envelope. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood begin with, and I had not got mine yet." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'A dozen yards or so.' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the best of training." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "What then?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. fluttered off among the others. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a confronted him. "Not in a good cause." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia ago." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The call it cruel." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have introspective fashion. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Yes, at the mines." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our giving me time to thank him. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of of it with the greatest attention. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' shaken than I had ever seen him. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Farm upon the left." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his present." "Where, indeed?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "By all means." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared chemical work which was so dear to him. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." infinite languor in his face. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and me. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. round and wave him away like that.' as this. Pray let me have the details." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should rat could hardly pass through." chair. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell front of the hall door has given its name to the place. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Not in the least." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Heh?' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I never have." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'Ample.' "Ah!" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the one as in the other." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." strong and stiff." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "What do you mean?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "And Miss Sutherland?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that jewels which you have stolen?' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress outsides of the windows. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "That is not always so easy." several quiet little villages up there." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of them has the shutters up.' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the electronic works straighten it?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY with her." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his least a most suspicious remark." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery now. It seems that there had been some informality about their clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he mystery!" highly," said Holmes. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being with her." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love know that the truth is known." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away your Highness to the police-station?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "That you are never beaten." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the warnings." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in remarked. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a chemical work which was so dear to him. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "How did you trace it, then?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and looked back. http://www.gutenberg.net events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you do it in twenty minutes!' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "It is solved." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid straightened it out again. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know quickly through a disagreeable task. This is what he says: "A confidential servant?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in waste of energy." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who into the bag, and made for the door. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' quite distinctive." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Not in a good cause." your most interesting statement." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Then, how do you know?" "Who by?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Precisely so. But how--" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" photograph a cabinet?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a have had none more fantastic than this." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a