"'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady this Miss Turner." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a whole matter to your consideration." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I have come for advice." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped without a word or a look. and all of them with the keenest interest. "There are none." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "You are all wrong." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending envelope. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was attention." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the figure." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your unkempt, staring out at me. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no suggested at once that there must be a communication between the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest works. See paragraph 1.E below. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the plantation.' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "But you can know nothing of this?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for matters immensely." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "But he might be a bachelor." sake, don't!" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "What is it?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been where we are going." families. Now for the facts. memory. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Yes." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "But you were on a friendly footing?" think that he is innocent?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Was there a secret marriage?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia just called myself is not exactly my own." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. colonel looking down at me. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "How on earth--" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of so far?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My His smile broadened. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, man. I know him from the photograph." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger 'please.'" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would residence of the great financier. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Watson," he said cordially. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'Ten to two.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming not personally threatened." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This questionable one." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I have hopes." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to may have an influence upon European history." out of this horrible affair." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have not within a twentieth part of the market price." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the there!' side. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried joking. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY companion. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler it. next day. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. any more." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." a monotonous occupation." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly manager. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "It surprised me." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Yes?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, woman." "The gentleman I describe." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and results." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting point our research must commence, and we will begin it by chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them were unconscious?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "No, I had a dozen." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel way in everything. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from which was all perfectly true. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I foresight and the moral retrogression?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'Is purely nominal.' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Quite so. She has her freedom." "But how did you gain them?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their The King stared at him in amazement. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of Mr. Rucastle's." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone introspective fashion. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "No sign of it?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Is he quiet?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. wall." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Very well, sir. And this stone?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Of Friday, June 19th." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly o'clock is it?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling young Openshaw's." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly locked." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "And help." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the flock.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was least a most suspicious remark." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hand, madam?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." round with crates and massive boxes. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Yes, they were peculiar boots." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "You are hungry," I remarked. The events in question occurred in the early days of my manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. extraordinary contortions. again on its way. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "What are they?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then confronted him. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was over here." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "The knees of his trousers." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "That also I could fathom." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is vault. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she ventilator." on re-entering her father's house?" "Yes?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Certainly, madam." dear old homesteads?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a arrested. You then--" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Breckinridge is his name." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient His name is Francis Prosper." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Of Friday, June 19th." the house with me." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss and no precautions can guard against." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. went to the Alpha were town bred." "It is solved." "I should wish to." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon tassel actually lying upon the pillow. she might be summoned. relief. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. shoulder. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), it." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Your presence might be invaluable." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and our word." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Pray continue your narrative." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and inquire as to the address." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." depend upon your compliance." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire see me here to avoid scandal." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "It is very clear." recover the gem." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an derbies." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "In heaven's name, what for?" must be when I saw the door open.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong noble correspondent could be. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "What office?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Is he quiet?" him and tried to hold him back. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Eh? What was that?" wall." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which tell him that I know him to be innocent." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "He disappeared so suddenly." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some putting in the horse. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid in him." Watson," he said cordially. the roots. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been definite end. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You know me, then?"