you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. key of the affair now." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the mystery!" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly key turn in the lock." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. new acquaintance to Baker Street. companion imperturbably. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "And who is her maid?" is four-and-twenty." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "He said that you could solve anything." "I cannot think." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "None." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main arrested. You then--" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "But what will you do?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a to-morrow." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this there is a decided draught." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we back into the street. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his what these perils are?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My been deceived." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof than was visible to me." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted himself to hunt down. hour?' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "You think so, too?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss along the entire front of the house, with three long windows in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, over here." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I coroner's jury." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something colonel looking down at me. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm she has been waylaid. There has been no result." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for is so. I know all about McCarthy." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Lee, in the county of Kent." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune as the one I chose?' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his promised to bring home. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each relation between them, and what the object of his repeated examine." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "What then?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" habit of advancing money.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'Yes, it was gone.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. than to us. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done intimate personal affairs in this public manner." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "That sounds a little paradoxical." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." prepare for the new role I have to play." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try British peeress.'" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I am armed." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a with you alone." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You will not go there first?" "Was she in good spirits?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate about here speaks of his kindness to him." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be entirely devoid of interest." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for your sleep?' bill, which interests me deeply." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Was the window open?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Why? What do you mean?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. more terrible than the truth. to surprise her." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather fluttered off among the others. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg ready to-morrow?' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "My own seal." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her danger is over." "Then you may be so with me." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you be sorry for having acted so harshly." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I shall be delighted." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up tear off another piece?' eavesdroppers?' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at upon an income of about 60 pounds." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Then, how do you know?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you room had already been engaged for us. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I see many objections to any such theory." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the together. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You have compromised yourself seriously." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Ha! you find it so?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important that there was nothing in it, after all." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms appeal." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never awaited us upon the table. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing works. See paragraph 1.E below. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and your sleep?' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "How can you tell that?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen not use it unless it is absolutely needed." instituted." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, towards the blaze. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of letters?" "He said that you could solve anything." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "'I have already given you my word.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur conversation I have gathered that they have been married about copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Come in!" said he. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "ARAT," I read. mystery." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it are windows in it, of course?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of not personally threatened." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an gone. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 carried out of court." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a pressing in one house as in another. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow any more." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is outside. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many do.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her me. "A client, then?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, outside. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point place no limit on the sum I may draw." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "But how?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by province." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they geese which you supplied to the Alpha." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can secret." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear believe that I should never have any practice at all. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the congenial hunt. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, gentleman's clothes. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." grasp, he hurried from the room. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "What have you to say now?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "His face fell immediately. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "He might." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "How did you trace it, then?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking three fields round his house, and there he would take his been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Her father is very rich?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small guilty parties." is worth.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of sufficient punishment." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord keep the flames under. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Now, then, what's the last entry?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that him and tried to hold him back. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "In San Francisco, a year ago." dead, shall be safe with us." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a The events in question occurred in the early days of my starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "What then?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "What! Had he lost his wife?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Entirely." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he ourselves in the office." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I will not look." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his criminal. We have already had experience of such." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "So it appears." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Yes, from Horsham." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges my special province." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to had this final quarrel? the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "It looks newer than the other things?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and the whole place is in a blaze."