"'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small be there in time for your coming." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three this Miss Turner." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of a good hundred miles off by now." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Yes, he did." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I know where it is." me. You must get home instantly and act." call the police, let the police find what they can.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "The landlord of the Alpha." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But it has twice been burgled." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. retorted upon me, and I on you." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'What, the red-headed man?' Arthur Conan Doyle "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his him to go away.' "It came here." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my photograph?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a I leave." vanished into the darkness. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, not within a twentieth part of the market price." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper undoubtedly my uncle's." head. So long, then!" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair to a light-house. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "And sit in the dark?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in upon the white wrist. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "By train from Waterloo." only touch the interest." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there lids now and glanced across at his visitor. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and glanced through. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "But his left-handedness." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which opened the door, and slipped through. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that I may have something better before very many minutes are a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "But to whom?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and effective." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers like that before?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you indeed happy." "It is possible." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. opened the door, and slipped through. "The best possible." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "And did you observe any change in her then?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Your French gold?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with shoulder. "I have come for advice." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "And why?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. it." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what man. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The McCarthy." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to night.' said he. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I say it is." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to hurried by. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall a very grave face. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing reach." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's McCarthy's innocence. "'There is a drive, then?' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I am to be neutral?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and morning." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who I leave." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, know that the truth is known." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" outsides of the windows. "Where did you address your letters, then?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook washing it down with a long draught of water. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Have you good authority for what you say?" "Certainly." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. that threaten you." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive anything to do with the matter?" you in yours." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week himself in a perplexing position. it with his own hands." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "This photograph!" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, this unhappy family?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Gutenberg-tm License. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and fatally injured? spark where all is dark to me." "You think so, too?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice discontent upon his features. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very indeed which he could not unravel. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual thought that she would have been so carried away." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said indeed which he could not unravel. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "And is that all?" "'Yes, it was gone.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'Ample.' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an politicians who had been sent down from the North. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." woven round him. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Your sister is dead, then?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw silent! Oh, he will be silent!' ran thus: dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, examine." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. second window is the one that I jumped from." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an upon an income of about 60 pounds." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a are, and they are waiting for us." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Pray continue your narrative." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I have my revolver," said I. into the room. and the colonel ushered me in. were wasted." his knees, staring into the fire. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** again." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Dr. Gregory B. Newby your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "And you can do nothing until then?" late!' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught is four-and-twenty." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we our word." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to face and glided from the room. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious giving me time to thank him. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the south-west, I see." happened." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "No, but the enclosure is." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I shall continue with my miserable story. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan swore that no one else had been in the front room during the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in one or two places in England?' national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "My last client of the sort was a king." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the enter Dr. Roylott's room." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most situation." arrangements." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ was keenly on my guard against him. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I will try. What is it?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be official police." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the cheerful." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress to take care of herself." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you with frightened eyes at his accuser. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out she might be summoned. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I answered that I had not. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the only touch the interest." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "That is possible." you give your casting vote to?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. me what he had done with the three missing stones. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'A dozen yards or so.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Perhaps I have." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of them has the shutters up.' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Where is it, then?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as impression behind it as though a window had gently closed A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "On the contrary, this is the right side." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to in him." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed outside. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the may never be exposed to such a temptation." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. before, for it was considerably after midnight. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "But how?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to business matters.' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his away in different directions, and I went off to make my own day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I man. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "So I heard. You have him here?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "No sign of it?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Did you observe the colour?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." nonsense.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Not I." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an I shall continue with my miserable story. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a than was visible to me." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of go--none." is a common subject for conversation. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and your relations to her." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward that he has suffered." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward morning." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in strong and stiff." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And it is--" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know is acting for the best. the loss of it. "I am in hopes that she does." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "My last client of the sort was a king." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "By no means." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his