get her out of the way." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "It was a confession," I ejaculated. photograph?" "Pray continue your narrative." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as to Leatherhead. secret." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but strong reason behind." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "My own seal." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It is half-past ten now." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. wanted for ourselves." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very already been minutely examined." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an upon the sideboard." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the Assizes." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "It is true that I have been generally successful." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "There is the writing." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I our word." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Well, some hundreds of times." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he new duties?' annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought will he say when he returns?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Was there a secret marriage?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I am sure." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the never came back." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our knowledge of the world." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" maiden herself was most instructive." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "None." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "How are you getting on?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Pray let us have it, for all that." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry conclusions. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue very old mansion. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened said I. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had useful material for showing traces. The double line a little how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, chemical work which was so dear to him. Count Von Kramm." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too helping a boy to put up the shutters. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who me where it went to?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" hour?' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "To an English lawyer named Norton." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a But Holmes shook his head gravely. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been had this final quarrel? she has been waylaid. There has been no result." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Holmes. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and all of them with the keenest interest. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Doctor, of the paper and the date." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." acted in my house last night?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. least a most suspicious remark." used to be." "Yes, certainly." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how hand, madam?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps II. DAMAGE. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" just called myself is not exactly my own." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I time." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "You have compromised yourself seriously." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man province." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten without a word or a look. go back?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without client, rising. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. without a word or a look. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually a monotonous occupation." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few them, and came down just as you departed. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "But you have hopes?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his whether it answered to the description of any of their the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit point in the dark hollow of his hand. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "No, finished." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and a shock of very red hair. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea correct than the official force." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I province." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from even of instruction." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during tail." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from opened a pocket-book and took out a note. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen noting anything else of interest. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting conclusions. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Where to?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It is true that I have been generally successful." hopeless attempt at recovering them." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a again, where I was soon asleep. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and chill to my heart. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' lost his Christmas dinner." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left returned to France?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Pope's Court. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one prepare for the new role I have to play." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and presented more singular features than that which was associated stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Yes, sir." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said for the market.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of companion. joking. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back remarked. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves have had none more fantastic than this." cigars in their mouths. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "And I say east," said my patient. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "The vanishing of the lady." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Eyford at 11:15.' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "You did not overhear what they said?" "A client, then?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information "How many? I don't know." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in respectable self." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole where we are going." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "'I have heard so.' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a sparkled upon his finger. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would be best to do. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled closing the door. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It examination of the premises, but without finding anything which registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Why, what do you mean?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that round with crates and massive boxes. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed there in twenty minutes." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. acquaintance?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "That is possible." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, upon a handsome competence. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and put his glass in his pocket. "Was there a secret marriage?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Entirely." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "And why?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "No." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Was she in good spirits?" in my life." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong were wasted." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the tail." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, indiscretion." this poor creature." "Your sister is dead, then?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is to you." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Why did you beat the pavement?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George to-night?" I asked. "I am armed." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would think, you have already met." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because laugh and put his lips to my ear. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of be there in time for your coming." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "So I am. Very much so." interests were the same as his." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project License. You must require such a user to return or step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this true." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case it were putty." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' such person." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "And how did you find out?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "And how in the world did you find them?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." that I can to serve you." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone prepare for the new role I have to play." "But you were on a friendly footing?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands criminal. We have already had experience of such." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Did you become engaged then?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his I was concerned in it." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Tired-looking or fresh?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "You did not overhear what they said?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage himself. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, of this gang."