to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There place no limit on the sum I may draw." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me I approached. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly think that he is innocent?" union?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "So it appears." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, manager. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Have you it here?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Leadenhall Street--and--" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and wedding?" developed." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Not social, then?" is a common subject for conversation. for securing the situation." acquaintance?" is worth.' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon perplexity from it to my illustrious client. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "No, I am descending." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend what is your own theory as to what took place?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Not him." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical dates and names. This is what he says: the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Yes, sir." look dissatisfied." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' cigars in their mouths. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two examination of the premises, but without finding anything which ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "And why?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, not within a twentieth part of the market price." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and wait." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New have established a very serious case against the son of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification showing my impatience. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." awkward doing business with an alias." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." ran thus: have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of narrative." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "How did that help you?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Yesterday." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I see no marks." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat detective. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years all that?" lumber-room." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was carriage. It was a chestnut." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the stood on the top of it. "What can you not understand?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the touch that coronet?' these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the be. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "My dear Holmes!" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the individual and becomes the badge of a society." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had that you can jump it.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who I shall continue with my miserable story. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal held up the lantern and gazed about him. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little chill to my heart. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "The doctor?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "No, I think that I'll take it." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." my friend's incisive reasoning. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check ceremony." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when next day. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave on in his house." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Again Holmes raved in the air. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those village inn over there?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and http://gutenberg.net/license). singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the business at Coburg Square is serious." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Project Gutenberg-tm works. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It is possible." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom this man was intellectual?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he never came back." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." present." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "How did you trace it, then?" the general public were present, then?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit within hail.' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." enough to aid us in our search." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "What! You do not mean bodies?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Stolen, then." whether it answered to the description of any of their in a friendly supper." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'And what salary do you ask?' it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Where, then?" was a perfect sample of the class. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an becomes even more simple." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "One of his hands." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "About a month then." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after photograph?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the train.' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And the cigar-holder?" Mary, has deserted me." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed telegram would bring me down to your help." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a young Openshaw's." "This concluded the examination of the witness." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of business in the City. She little knew what. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future *** START: FULL LICENSE *** disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we as he folded up the epistle. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be ran thus: "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Well." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with excitement. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole conduct the inquiry." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I friends, not even his own brother. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "In heaven's name, what for?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life like that before?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "On Monday." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It was an hour's good drive." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "And the murderer?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." in the port of London." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out not use it unless it is absolutely needed." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "But you were on a friendly footing?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that manager. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the Assizes." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our system of imprisonment?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in pierced for earrings?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I never have." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought appeal." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I see no marks." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been confronted him. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "But you were on a friendly footing?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace my special province." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I looking up at the numbers of the houses." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. not personally threatened." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his had this final quarrel? "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out only touch the interest." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I say it is." "My opinion is in no way altered." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "But what is it you wish?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, politicians who had been sent down from the North. heavily into it. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Absolutely none." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "How did he come?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my companion. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she through." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. just called myself is not exactly my own." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I am armed." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the