the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, closing the door. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able http://gutenberg.net/license). Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands footfalls from the street. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "And the cigar-holder?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened wanted for ourselves." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. suddenly upon us." "One of his hands." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of hands. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. any." "But who is he?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the is," said he presently: "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the night.' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "A client, then?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to change my dress. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! extraordinary contortions. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a one else, I think." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the his face. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Not I." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the running down." "I have come for advice." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "There are none." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is if she died from some sudden fright." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the chance." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful a monotonous occupation." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'Yes, sir.' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I am following you closely," I answered. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, despair." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." reach." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger possible that we could bring him back to her? office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Dirty?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was tightly behind him. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "He is still with you, I presume?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "But you were on a friendly footing?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" public press." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "The knees of his trousers." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, had this final quarrel? by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Clair, of Lee." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Yes, at the mines." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "No, thank goodness, she did not." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'What are you doing there?' he asked. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "My private note-paper." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "And why in hopes?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the coroner come to?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not hurried away. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize subject to the trademark license, especially commercial would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Eh? What was that?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there leave you to your papers for a little." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to is acting for the best. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Heh?' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Serpentine Avenue. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the ceiling. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." memory. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which delighted to hear it," he said. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up joking. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that time." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Then he might have called to you?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Watson," he said cordially. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to-morrow." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before it." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "No." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, views." you want, then?' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for danger is over." grasp, he hurried from the room. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have envelope. indiscretion." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You will not go there first?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news over with notes and figures. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the For additional contact information: that, and I came down." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. coroner's jury." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Yes, sir.' ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not writer." "By no means." showing my impatience. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I shall be delighted." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have sit on the left-hand side of the driver." forecastle of an emigrant ship. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his papers on the sundial.'" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most asked with his eyes open. was a lad." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "I guessed as much." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Murdered?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal this man was intellectual?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Tired-looking or fresh?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. and it need not interfere very much with one's other pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Perhaps we may make them less so." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for was a perfect sample of the class. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an do you make of it all?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the charge against him will break down." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to young Openshaw's." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed an introduction to him?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words absolutely follow my advice in every respect." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "It is possible." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'Where could I find him?' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your hard-headed British jury." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Where to?' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Ah!" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "But what harm can there be in that?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "By train from Waterloo." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Not I." directly by questioning you." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the driver. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "To an end?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but once more to my work. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in His smile broadened. your equipment. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain noble correspondent could be. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, it were putty." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is suggested at once that there must be a communication between the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out national property. I was determined that the law should have its "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told and the colonel ushered me in. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Yes." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. train.' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Again Holmes raved in the air. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of believe that I should never have any practice at all. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was with some details as to your case." investigation." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our do." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for of Mr. Rucastle's." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Edgeware Road. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Tired-looking or fresh?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Stolen, then." again." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It is very kind of you." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "What is it, then--a fire?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little introspective fashion. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I answered that I had not. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Pray continue your narrative." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." man. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me into her hand at the door and which lured her within their for the market.' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "How did you deduce the select?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to a more successful conclusion." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel dear old homesteads?" "Yes." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry depend upon my doing so.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a matter." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I been." "What then?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was