When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss during that time.' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And now?" I asked. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, asked. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the address that was given us in the advertisement. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove lost his Christmas dinner." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I few hundred pounds.' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "And your mother is alive?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the are, I think, all that we need." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; was a loud and authoritative tap. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Your French gold?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," him nearly every evening." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Pray let us have it, for all that." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Nor running a chance of arrest?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. respectable self." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "What do you mean?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Have you it here?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "And why in hopes?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I of the one which your family is now devouring." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he strode off upon his way. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather coat-tails." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate in one or two places in England?' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I was afraid that you were engaged." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I you." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." said I. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for orange pips. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" particular state visit http://pglaf.org Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and I shall continue with my miserable story. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Yes." there in twenty minutes." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "It was a confession," I ejaculated. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Was the window open?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in get her out of the way." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, quickly through a disagreeable task. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as note?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Which dealer's?' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one rat could hardly pass through." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, four million human beings all jostling each other within the I shall communicate with you." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the devil!" main points of my analysis." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "How did that help you?" corner of the building. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than knowledge of the world." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Arthur Conan Doyle object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his would then never go into court at all." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in comes from the middle window." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked charge against him will break down." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than said I. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "BALLARAT." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for should be taken.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my to Leatherhead. may never be exposed to such a temptation." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, his wife has ceased to love him." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens was the fact that his father should, according to his account, think you a quite exceptional woman." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "But to whom?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the must compliment you." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the it means?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "But he might be a bachelor." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her pictures, libraries, or plate. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose is a common subject for conversation. chamber." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "And your father? Did you tell him?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Yes, that is the Crown." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "No." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of quite distinctive." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, prison!" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a lost nothing by them." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his But Holmes shook his head gravely. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat strength." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from License. You must require such a user to return or permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "And the murderer?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your gbnewby@pglaf.org Munro.' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the room while you explain this matter?" note?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of morning." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the happened." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and that he would see to anything that turned up. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster business in the City. She little knew what. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him get the tickets." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It and all of them with the keenest interest. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this followed. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that done what I asked you, Jones?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who outside." "The knees of his trousers." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "And on what day did he meet his death?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce them, and came down just as you departed. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" States. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "By no means." to-night?" I asked. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at case-book, which he consulted. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "And why in hopes?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, detective. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Proceed, then." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because believe that I should never have any practice at all. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I have come for advice." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the other lovers by making love himself." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Then I am your man." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I was sure that I might rely on you." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of spark where all is dark to me." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be be best to do. "ARAT," I read. and effective." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey to Leatherhead. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in call it cruel." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the coroner come to?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned individual and becomes the badge of a society." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project here." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Where, indeed?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Proceed, then." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the very old mansion. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Cross for the Continent." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "And what did you see?" that there was nothing in it, after all." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the devil!" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly already been minutely examined." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "No. His orders were to stay in the house." on re-entering her father's house?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about business." stepfather?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger retorted upon me, and I on you." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a later, upon the night of May 2nd." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror breakfast." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a with her." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with License. You must require such a user to return or "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "And the murderer?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I nonsense.' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and stepfather?" cigar and let me expound." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the what these perils are?" not come at once?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will it right.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for will be renamed. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his peculiar to him. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than habit of advancing money.' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, page at http://pglaf.org spare." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "What shall I do?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first What do you deduce from it?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Not him." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "But how could you guess what the motive was?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I III. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'Oh, no.' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we