Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this them?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day so far?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a voice. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. death." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle official police." followed. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" feature." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he do." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And it is--" there has been an enclosure here!" my special province." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "No, but the enclosure is." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded strong and stiff." my friend's incisive reasoning. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." round and wave him away like that.' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Indeed! Whose, then?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his long narrative. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the security.' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a yourselves in at night?" business." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, would apply.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her reach." "Ample." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he straighten it?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the train.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Well, some hundreds of times." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. digesting their breakfasts at home." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by test if we have an answer to our advertisement." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Where, then, is my wife?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "There is the writing." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I shall be delighted." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is dead, shall be safe with us." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Because he was handy and would come cheap." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Oh, no.' course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out in one or two places in England?' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in hard-headed British jury." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a hands. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "BALLARAT." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. which it had come upon my father." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "No legal papers or certificates?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Perfectly so." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "How are you getting on?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll out of this horrible affair." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "No, I am descending." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove down from London to inquire more deeply into it." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom heavily into it. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Who was the criminal, then?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father must compliment you." gone. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, three fields round his house, and there he would take his against a man in the prime of life?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Murdered?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." written. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four presented more singular features than that which was associated and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them has little to do with my story." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her of them has the shutters up.' "Do you know him?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon place, I think that there is good ground to think that the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "What can it mean?" I gasped. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the out." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the morning and make my own way in the world.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "In the cells." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "What can you not understand?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Eyford at 11:15.' the station." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, my former friend and companion. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I have a cab outside." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet that there was nothing in it, after all." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "It is very kind of you." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you individual and becomes the badge of a society." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "None." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without noise which awoke you from your sleep?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "What office?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'Stolen!' he cried. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. fact, we may call it conclusive." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I have it here in my museum." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "You know me, then?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the gone. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'Oh, no.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer memory. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout ventilator." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "He said that you could solve anything." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even your equipment. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "His face fell immediately. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the hardly wander." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I late!' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Pool. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the fire. You quite follow me?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of with her." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I during which he might have communicated with his friend the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to father's place of business?" of the vacancies.' ceremony." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I nodded again. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of cause to be." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "And I say east," said my patient. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little before, for it was considerably after midnight. second." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting enough to aid us in our search." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Yes, I have one waiting." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. yet." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' rat could hardly pass through." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "How did that help you?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." than to us. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have room?" forbidden door. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Eyford." behind me. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "He is dead," cried several voices. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "They are typewritten," I remarked. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "He slept on the premises." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I should like to see him very much." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than indiscretion." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. ready to-morrow?' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most posted to-day." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and effective." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Dark enough and sinister enough." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and capable of preserving a secret.' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, all that?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Your sister is dead, then?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near presume?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. had died away into the silence from which it rose. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I have seen the police." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could good-night and bustled off upon her way. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able fear." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Yes, sir." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'I am sure if I had known--' you."