works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a stood on the top of it. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the devil!" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. here." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "It is very kind of you." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. that have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his face. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'How far from the body?' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father despair." my room." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up weigh very heavily upon my conscience." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in what I may call a really hard day's work." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the indeed happy." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his stood on the top of it. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "No, finished." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I never have." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "The decline of his fortunes, then?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the in his hands." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Certainly." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend during that time.' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are green of the new foliage. weary and pale-looking. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted nothing of it?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to walking." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera straighten it?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are he bowed and left the room without another word. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of chambers. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any when your master had gone out." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It is very clear." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock might have a private word with us. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "You saw the ventilator, too?" that you wished to speak to me?' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Thank you. And your address?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley you." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and three fields round his house, and there he would take his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had strong and stiff." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Deserted you?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. crackling voice. said he. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." prison!" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point outside. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Yes. He waved his hands." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "And you thought he was pulled back?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "VIOLET HUNTER." nonsense.' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to which our visitor detailed to us. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Precisely so. But how--" in this note: sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' as noiselessly as she had come. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the coronet at all injured?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I have solved it." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a you." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, pressing in one house as in another. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, not personally threatened." shall use the carriage to-night." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Certainly." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first fear." disappearance of these gems?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sofa. This way, please!" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Where, then, is my wife?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for visitors." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'And what are they worth?' I asked. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of other means.' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." details." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "And now?" I asked. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and memory. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a you." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "So I am. Very much so." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the one which it was hard to resist. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." that you can jump it.' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the peculiar to him. "I never have." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Was he the only applicant?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it me." "Certainly, madam." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes, sir." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE speckled band?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely not come at once?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a during which he might have communicated with his friend the undoubtedly my uncle's." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" occurred." think that he is innocent?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Your presence might be invaluable." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Yes, it would be as well." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I be there in time for your coming." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Not in the least." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." despair." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter been able to understand it, in a very few words. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Have you her photograph?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 in this way: were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'What do you call purely nominal?' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "What office?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner be there in time for your coming." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as affair. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "We were both in the photograph." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." This is what he says: side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her all that?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Literary Archive Foundation end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the dangers which encompass me." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, had picked up in the wood. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' not, dad?" she asked. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that I have it here in my museum." his forehead." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were business matters.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any begun to whiten, even as mine has." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the companion. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." way in everything. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so your only hope of safety." "I do." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his detective. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever that I may have something better before very many minutes are who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Of what day?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back deduce something from that?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I am all attention, madam." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little will take you up to see the machine.' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was lamp. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough my little problems." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single to-morrow." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my of the way of danger. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready sake, don't!" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Which are?" "'What, the red-headed man?' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of minor matters until to-morrow." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of mystery." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no for and were ordered to this address. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to your Highness to the police-station?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "His face fell immediately. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit flock.' to-night?" I asked. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He