convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She will be renamed. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of in the port of London." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A events, Mr. Windibank!" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "It was." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Sholtos." "It missed him, then?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Then let me do so?' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "What is it?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these remarked. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, have got?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." murdered man." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned forebodings. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those into the room. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a be best to do. "What can you not understand?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided pity, because in other respects you would really have done very his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Ten will be early enough." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "In which, sir?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, be there in time for your coming." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'I shall certainly be there.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right certainly not very gracious." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Pray do so." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," passage and a tap at the door. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking system of imprisonment?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of if she died from some sudden fright." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Nothing?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the loss of it. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "And you don't know his address?" your co-operation." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "My photograph." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I am all attention, madam." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew better in every way that they should make their position a little opened a pocket-book and took out a note. few hundred pounds.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard lumber-room." "Then I do not see the point." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a will he say when he returns?" "Where to?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis direction." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will public press." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind noise which awoke you from your sleep?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the murdered man." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Nothing." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass trying to your nerves." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It looks newer than the other things?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, despaired of." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, upon an income of about 60 pounds." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been business at Coburg Square is serious." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I don't believe it." I shall communicate with you." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and which was all perfectly true. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'Why that?' I asks. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square been deceived." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of evidence," I remarked. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. man. I know him from the photograph." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At it." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the standing smiling on the door-step. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no spark where all is dark to me." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the strode off upon his way. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to hopeless attempt at recovering them." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "The best possible." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly in darkness. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Holmes." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Serpentine Avenue. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly as noiselessly as she had come. the morning and make my own way in the world.' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Holmes' face clouded over. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls events than those which have happened in my own family." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "What do you mean?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very point our research must commence, and we will begin it by your Highness to the police-station?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "No." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could bare slabs of marble. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns murdered man." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That locked." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was there!' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the her also." "How do you know, then?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I was mad--insane." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his article?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the room while you explain this matter?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small remarked. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "It is solved." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of The King stared at him in amazement. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases back to my heart. "That is possible." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the tragedy. me. I nodded again. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so you." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried heavily into it. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I cannot imagine." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the that there was nothing in it, after all." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "My Mary? Impossible!" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I see many objections to any such theory." to his chemical studies. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very do." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." it were putty." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of his shoulders. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of which was all perfectly true. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Really! You surprise me." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a before the coroner and the police-court." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a whether it answered to the description of any of their "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Here?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The shoulder. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Have you her photograph?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "So I am. Very much so." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the she to prove their authenticity?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Yes, sir.' at my own good fortune. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might answered with a sidelong glance. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Why? What do you mean?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I will get her to show me." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "So it appears." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and are, and they are waiting for us." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual my former friend and companion. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for occurred." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the congratulate you again." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "None." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared kindly on the shoulder. you give your casting vote to?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, McCarthy's innocence. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "And leave your case unfinished?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in fasten all the windows?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than she used." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO such attractions and accomplishments?' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Yes, only one." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; me. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of himself to tell his story. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." congratulate you again." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 11:15.' delirious. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." come either from the window or the door. My attention was filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Where to?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would passage and a tap at the door. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to me. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., to a light-house. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy