before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or John Swain, of St. Augustine. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door criminal. We have already had experience of such." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Your sister is dead, then?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "That's no good." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "But what harm can there be in that?" and all of them with the keenest interest. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right sneer upon his pale face. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY matters immensely." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed His name is Francis Prosper." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I have solved it." new duties?' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray once more to my work. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a forbidden door. "I am sure." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out washing it down with a long draught of water. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." article?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." my secret was safe in his possession. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "But his lameness?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." neither fascinating nor artistic." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but straightened it out again. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I have accepted such a situation. in my life." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from returned to France?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Yes, certainly." humiliation." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small beg that you will break it off." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine other means.' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found plantation.' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Munro.' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held fled together." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a way in everything. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Your French gold?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must way in everything. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no will he say when he returns?" "And why in hopes?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets for its centre. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My hour." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the best of training." "But what is it you wish?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you do it in twenty minutes!' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." note?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." away into the river." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I over part of the map. "What do you read?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." which was all perfectly true. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, mystery!" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said information in his hands the value of which he did not himself might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' look upon these things in a different way." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting six. Come in!" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that new duties?' prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." do.' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. II. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle made his money." deduce something from that?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Very good.' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "No good news?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall existence." "I have my revolver," said I. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Married! When?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might direction." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Countess of Morcar's?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, that I am arrested." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Then he might have called to you?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Witness: It was. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than house for five minutes.' "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no chair. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any or in danger--" "And you don't know his address?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing question," said Holmes, smiling. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "What!" he roared. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was My friend smiled. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the devil!" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. come either from the window or the door. My attention was tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'In my own bureau.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left vanished into the darkness. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you there has been an enclosure here!" "I have solved it." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial affection." bled considerably." just called myself is not exactly my own." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Yes, sir.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "What will you do, then?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I should wish to." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you possible that we could bring him back to her? "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had chill to my heart. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have there was no need for father to know." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he depend upon your compliance." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the stable lane now." his grey eyes. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with noting anything else of interest. habit of advancing money.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that rooms." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his again before evening." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come that he will be back before evening." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Mrs. Toller serenely. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "That is possible." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." appointment with me for six o'clock?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission not use it unless it is absolutely needed." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which to his chemical studies. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off arms and began to sob in a high treble key. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" nonsense.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to posted to-day." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "And is that all?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Witness: Nothing definite. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "It was." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "By train from Waterloo." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Again Holmes raved in the air. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Where, indeed?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "It certainly sounds feasible." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for morning." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "You are hungry," I remarked. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal people don't know." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to me." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "A call for help, you thought?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I was mad--insane." "Look there!" said he. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever a good hundred miles off by now." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "No, distinctly professional." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' certainly do as you advise." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Pray be precise as to details," said he. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of out of this horrible affair." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "What is it?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method London for the present?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "The Cedars?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have wedding?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' returned to France?" trifles." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "In the cells." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a here and I will read it to you: "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Serpentine Avenue. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "What steps will you take?" I asked. companion imperturbably. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Is he quiet?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!"