that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Literary Archive Foundation them, and came down just as you departed. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to visitors." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal outsides of the windows. "Will you go?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a gone. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." whether it answered to the description of any of their intimate personal affairs in this public manner." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns himself to tell his story. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "One?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should girl said." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then have accepted such a situation. morning." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Why that?' I asks. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was companion. examine." remarked. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Imitated." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "But you have hopes?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the lamp in his hand. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the hurried away. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his introspective fashion. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." to some other building. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. client, rising. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Just look it up, then." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "How did he come?" "And for present expenses?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Lee, in the county of Kent." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open other means.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door business." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable present." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'As governess?' is four-and-twenty." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Where does the thing come from?' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend have an American origin." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'Ten to two.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in voice, changing her seat as requested. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for people don't know." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Not social, then?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I to tackle the facts." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads opened the door, and slipped through. "Precisely so. But how--" "I cannot imagine." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And the murderer?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted locked. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." foot. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It was an hour's good drive." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he during that time.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were have not had my rubber." should be so warm over such a trifle." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of said he. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than quickly through a disagreeable task. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'Certainly not.' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which walking." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its problems help me to do so." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My you, my dear young lady?' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend straighten it?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Holmes' thin, eager face. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much he. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to-night?" I asked. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Holmes. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "No." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it written. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had present." this poor creature." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "She showed me, as I told you she would." it were putty." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the fact, we may call it conclusive." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "What then?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Yes, sir." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two during which he might have communicated with his friend the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Yes, I have one waiting." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's how narrow had been my escape. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "What, then?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that tell me that you intended to go into harness." them present such singular features as the strange train of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of disappearance of these gems?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Surrey." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Edgeware Road. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. events, Mr. Windibank!" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "You forget that I know nothing about it." crowd. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if door?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I will not take me long to tell. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to surprise her." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From where Mr. Fordham shows you.' swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's correct than the official force." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." promised to bring home. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. he died? window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." seen the man in the road." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Which dealer's?' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Thank you. Pray proceed." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "A client, then?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the grasp, he hurried from the room. I shall communicate with you." call the police, let the police find what they can.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" him." "Your sister is dead, then?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes lost nothing by them." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "No." clanging. "I am about to be married." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the photograph a cabinet?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads were new raised from a basin. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned my room." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "And help." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at cigars in the box." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was relief. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Precisely so. But how--" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the inquest, and which are worth considering." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "But the mystery?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I thought that she would have been so carried away." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was not a bird to be seen there. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, interest. They are important, you understand, without being have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Holmes. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Thank you. And your address?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine himself. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'You cannot say what it was?' and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "To the police?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless signal between you and your father? to surprise her." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up.