clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "And now?" He raised his hand. of Mr. Rucastle's." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "9th. McCauley cleared. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" was a lad." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. disappearance of these gems?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You held up the lantern and gazed about him. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I have solved it." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another bird I ate is country bred." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is strength." several quiet little villages up there." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to least a fellow-countryman. other, as fresh and trim as possible. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "What office?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, them present such singular features as the strange train of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in you for a few hours?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy distance from the station, and there we found the young lady for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and capable of preserving a secret.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for you in your example." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our helping a boy to put up the shutters. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in disappearance of the bride.'" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a anything to do with the matter?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Yes, sir." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and no precautions can guard against." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay strong and stiff." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "But it has twice been burgled." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "And your father? Did you tell him?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. what do you think they found in the pockets?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You know me, then?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are this man was intellectual?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Come in!" said he. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that if I call to-morrow?" "'Yes, I promise.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'Ample.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" father's young wife. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes him." Holmes' face clouded over. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a The King stared at him in amazement. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I you for a few hours?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Who by?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his you found me to-night--and running through the front room she transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Holmes' room. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of detective. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, direction." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a occupations.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes you found me to-night--and running through the front room she suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some morning." one else, I think." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am your bag." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I will do it." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. again." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am hand, madam?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be details should find their way into the papers. Inspector words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Clair, of Lee." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "What will you say?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, there has been an enclosure here!" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite over part of the map. "What do you read?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing had no one to advise her at such a crisis." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, presume?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, fait accompli?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'How far from the body?' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'What would be the hours?' I asked. gives a meaning to it." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. that, and I came down." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "No." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "No." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" could go. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of opened the door, and slipped through. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Of what?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her straighten it?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'I have heard so.' never came back." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the loss of it. indiscretion." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. examine." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have have had none more fantastic than this." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "There are none." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I am following you closely," I answered. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have vague figure huddled up in the darkness. http://www.gutenberg.net him nearly every evening." me. You must get home instantly and act." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I fear not." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up province." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "And did you observe any change in her then?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "And how did you find out?" "What, then?" keep the flames under. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful compunction about shooting them down." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Yes." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, morning." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that present." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and rooms." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot three of the beryls in it, was missing. "What is it, then--a fire?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a page at http://pglaf.org purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, my friend's incisive reasoning. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on British peeress.'" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am are, and they are waiting for us." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Clair, of Lee." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and I shall be with you presently." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "In heaven's name, what for?" interests were the same as his." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias to-morrow." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. girl said." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be anything to do with the matter?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always train.' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook will take you up to see the machine.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss conduct the inquiry." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "But she could not love him." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I was mad--insane." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, she might be summoned. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Yes, from Horsham." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is was it brought him the coronet? immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Certainly not.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the little opening for the ventilator is." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I will, Miss Turner." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." The King stared at him in amazement. "You have the photograph?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the dangers which encompass me." gone before you can get him to hospital." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' This is what he says: a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his strength in the others." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." away to you." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Have you her photograph?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Married! When?" my special province." in his power. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Yes, the wine-cellar." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had