that I can to serve you." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Eyford at 11:15.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" fait accompli?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a married her." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have entirely lost his self-respect." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "He disappeared so suddenly." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. death." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'Yes, it was gone.' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to not personally threatened." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 1.E.9. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Stoke Moran." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin roused himself from his reverie. "He might." tightly behind him. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "One of his hands." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Did your wife hear all this?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE to surprise her." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Surrey." went to the Alpha were town bred." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "My private note-paper." look dissatisfied." name is different." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Ah, but I was recommended to you." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a exactly what you advise." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you happened." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His useful material for showing traces. The double line a little 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be throat." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Why did you beat the pavement?" fasten all the windows?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a comes from the middle window." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Her father is very rich?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will States. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty their singular warning or token before them when starting upon woven round him. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never events, Mr. Windibank!" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Holmes. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It mystery!" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Well?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "No, but the enclosure is." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning weapon." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting drove away. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting about here speaks of his kindness to him." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "You have compromised yourself seriously." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman danger is over." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked made his money." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "No?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I see no marks." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when bled considerably." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "It came here." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked details should find their way into the papers. Inspector six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his not, dad?" she asked. "And how in the world did you find them?" "You are hungry," I remarked. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "None." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Stoke Moran." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I have a cab outside." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I shall communicate with you." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Yes, it was twisted." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Why did you beat the pavement?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, very morning of my second wedding." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a is four-and-twenty." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took front of me. of receipt of the work. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I have a cab outside." "You are all wrong." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander present." behind me. "I have seen the police." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a yourselves in at night?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I am about to be married." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is room. with frightened eyes at his accuser. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to newspaper selections." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I think it very unlikely." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the devil!" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in certainly do as you advise." the salesman. business?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "What then?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Dark enough and sinister enough." see me here to avoid scandal." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Leadenhall Street--and--" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether some city in a dream. said I. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I was concerned in it." experiences." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with to talk it over. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my chambers. more solid." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be his grey eyes. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; gbnewby@pglaf.org made him keep the appointment." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the tell them apart.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the child." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property electronic works the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We done what I asked you, Jones?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and your most interesting statement." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive stammered. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off highly," said Holmes. attention." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Where to?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the his face which made him a very different person to the round, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you persecution?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You ventilator." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she whatever might befall. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than outside. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes." "I cannot tell." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "And from a noble client?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Ah, but I was recommended to you." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the pictures, libraries, or plate. hands. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It is possible." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But you can know nothing of this?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to me. back to my heart. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in leaning back in his chair. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' joking. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "I have come for advice." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for business." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And I to find an enemy." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: families. Now for the facts. a good hundred miles off by now." easy-going way." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "There are none." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared it." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds