hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the had this final quarrel? photograph?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, note?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out I think that I could be of assistance to you." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he 11:15.' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his again." "'Why that?' I asks. appeal." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was it." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then could not account in any way for the presence of the missing here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural long narrative. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Dark enough and sinister enough." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but families. Now for the facts. "You think that he is dead?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "It was an hour's good drive." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And how did he make his money?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen copied or distributed: however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the himself. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, closing the door. "Really! You surprise me." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "And what then?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "The gentleman I describe." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "In answer to an advertisement." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give ready to-morrow?' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "No good news?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two absorbing." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution were unconscious?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no open." you for a few hours?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up situation." Miss Holder?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With existence." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium delighted to hear it," he said. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the to-night." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes orange pips. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its where she found matters as described by the last witness. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in cheerful." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "You think so, too?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. in the dead of the night?' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven weary and pale-looking. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any is worth.' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "The murder was done with it." "And how did you find out?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this bore every mark of being an average commonplace British excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination detained." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I think that I had better go, Holmes." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "This concluded the examination of the witness." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' father's place of business?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the inner apartment." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I came to find a friend." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "To an end?" such attractions and accomplishments?' the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, learned something! Where are the gems?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "The doctor?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her been lifted and conveyed somewhere." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Precisely so. But how--" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into nonsense.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they over part of the map. "What do you read?" miles off. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and the colonel ushered me in. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "But she could not love him." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Nothing?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "VIOLET HUNTER." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to over here." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I was afraid that you were engaged." "But how?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "To ruin me." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he foresight and the moral retrogression?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Look there!" said he. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "But what is it you wish?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I will try. What is it?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I do." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small you in your example." appeal." long narrative. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the McCarthy." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and rose-bushes. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Stolen." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a back to my heart. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence way in everything. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "No, but the enclosure is." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "BALLARAT." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you have an American origin." events than those which have happened in my own family." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of campaign. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Never,' said I. "Yes." him. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own written. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty vanished into the darkness. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I have come for advice." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "My private note-paper." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some relief. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed said I. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." happened." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I say that I have solved it." her also." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with certainly not very gracious." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Was the window open?" "The doctor?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this not come at once?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search gives a meaning to it." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not something of him before." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Your presence might be invaluable." with you?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Holmes. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out followed. "No." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "He said that you could solve anything." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Were they all fastened this morning?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I don't say that. Perhaps." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge him, that man would not have given me such complete information having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman better grown goose." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, noble correspondent could be. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the armchair which I pushed forward for him. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My so far?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Was he the only applicant?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag During two years I have had three consultations and one small official police." writing, and yet I know it well." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his of his shoulders. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever forehead. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey carriage. It was a chestnut." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?"