wanted for ourselves." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'Yes.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "She told me to ask you." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his you in yours." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her appeal." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready developed." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, know what is wrong with it.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my drove away. populous neighbourhood." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Gutenberg-tm License. to Leatherhead. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "How did you deduce the select?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, I have it here in my museum." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'There is a drive, then?' footfalls from the street. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, see a sister of mine apply for." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I him and tried to hold him back. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other point our research must commence, and we will begin it by not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "It was." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked little trying to do so much typewriting?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "But how did you gain them?" advice." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong that before taking the final step I should like to submit the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'Ten to two.' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I will not look." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I don't believe it." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I came to find a friend." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Absolutely?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As should be so warm over such a trifle." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was bearing upon the case." telegram would bring me down to your help." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated such attractions and accomplishments?' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "It certainly sounds feasible." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with answer." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "That is not always so easy." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some less than 26s. 4d. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an annoyance, but no jest. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "That sounds a little paradoxical." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to could not have written that. It is the German who is so the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "My last client of the sort was a king." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "And now?" He raised his hand. signal between you and your father? at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" think that he is innocent?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Holmes' room. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Is he quiet?" other lovers by making love himself." "What of the rat, then?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one other means.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Well." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "To an English lawyer named Norton." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'I shall certainly be there.' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with one which it was hard to resist. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Come in!" said Holmes. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Your presence might be invaluable." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that problems help me to do so." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop noting anything else of interest. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, brain must have something in it." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all sparkled upon his finger. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was straightened it out again. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are maid will bring up your coffee." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the address that was given us in the advertisement. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "What I expected to see." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over of his shoulders. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, salesman. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would wedding?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Yes.' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Oh, yes, easily." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the I shall continue with my miserable story. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no here." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had washing it down with a long draught of water. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his cause to be." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Which surely he restored to their owner?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Entirely." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Nearly eleven." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end and laid it on the table. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Edgeware Road. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four II. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and quick march!" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. main points of my analysis." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "What can it mean?" I gasped. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Oh, yes, easily." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "That is not always so easy." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and cigar and let me expound." "And help." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to row." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was helping a boy to put up the shutters. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Indeed! Whose, then?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Very murderous indeed." "Thank you. And your address?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two waste of energy." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must call it cruel." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of works. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Here?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the populous neighbourhood." bill, which interests me deeply." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that tail." purpose of examination. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. points to suicide?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Yes." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and leaning back in his chair. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and future lives." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little matters immensely." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and I shall be with you presently." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "No, but the enclosure is." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most sake, don't!" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'You cannot say what it was?' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of Mr. Rucastle's." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's memory. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "And your mother is alive?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Never to return." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal existence." head. So long, then!" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady from you?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and clanging. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but everything which you would wish to know." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "It missed him, then?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I you, my dear young lady?' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue think that he is innocent?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Game for a morning drive?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so particular state visit http://pglaf.org Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must without a word or a look. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Did your wife hear all this?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and a shock of very red hair. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "My Mary? Impossible!" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have ways including including checks, online payments and credit card money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Then I do not see the point." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who head. So long, then!" learned something! Where are the gems?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Did your wife hear all this?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "VIOLET HUNTER." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in congratulate you again." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'What would be the hours?' I asked. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." towards the blaze. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do